gaithersblog.net

Petula Dvorak writes in the Washington Post,

A 52-year-old Wheaton man died while fishing alone in his johnboat on a lake in Montgomery County yesterday, officials said.

Walter F. Klabacha Jr., 52, left his home early yesterday on a fishing trip on Clopper Lake, in Seneca Creek State Park near Germantown, said Sgt. Ken Turner of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police.

A park visitor called police to report an empty johnboat with its motor running, going in circles, Turner said.

Less than 15 minutes later, someone else found a body floating in the water. It was identified as Klabacha’s, Turner said. No cause of death has been determined.

It’s good to see the City being proactive about this…

From the City’s website:

Gaithersburg Seeks Help in Identifying Vacant Properties

Posted 2/12/2009

In order to preserve public safety and promote the health and welfare of its neighborhoods, the City of Gaithersburg has established a “Vacant Property” reporting system. Neighborhood Services staff has been proactively tracking and inspecting bank-owned foreclosures for several months in an attempt to protect the City’s housing stock and the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Not all vacant properties are in bank-owned foreclosure status, however.  So that these do not go undetected, we are requesting resident assistance in reporting vacant properties to us online at vacantproperty@gaithersburgmd.gov.

Once a property is identified, staff will inspect the structure to ensure it is secure and safe.  Property owners will be notified of existing property maintenance violations including lack of maintenance of exterior structures, grass over 10 inches, weeds, accumulation of rubbish or garbage, and inoperable or abandoned vehicles.

For more information on the Vacant Property program please contact the City of Gaithersburg Neighborhood Services Division at 301-258-6340.

From the County’s website:

2/12/2009

Police Investigate a Series of Diversion Scams Targeting Elderly Couples

Detectives from three District Investigative Sections are investigating three incidents of theft diversion scams targeting elderly couples in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Bethesda. Detectives believe they may be related and committed by the same group of suspects.

In all three incidents, a suspect is dressed in a dark blue uniform and claims to be a government employee. In two of the incidents, he told the victims that their neighbor’s home had a flood and he would need the victims to accompany him to the basement of the home to inspect their water pipes. While the suspect and the victims are in the basement, two additional suspects enter the home and search for cash to steal. In the third incident, the suspect again claimed that a neighbor had a flood, but he wanted to check the water pressure in the victim’s home.

The first two incidents described above occurred on February 3 within an hour of each other. The first incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. in the 1900 block of Stanley Avenue in Rockville. This incident involved an 85-year-old female victim and a 99-year-old male victim. The second incident occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. in the 4400 block of West Virginia Avenue in Bethesda. This incident involved an 83-year-old female victim and a 90-year-old male victim. The third incident occurred on February 9 at approximately 12:00 p.m. in the 16600 block of South Westland Avenue in Gaithersburg. This incident involved a 72-year-old female victim and an 80-year-old male victim.

The first suspect is described as a Hispanic male, in his 30’s, 5’6” to 5’8” tall, with a thin build, and short black hair. He is wearing a dark blue shirt and dark blue pants. He is wearing what appears to be a yellow name badge with a picture. The second suspect is described as a Hispanic male, in his 30’s, with a medium build, and short black hair. He is wearing dark blue clothing. The third suspect is described as white male, in his 50’s, with a heavy build, and gray hair.

Anyone who has information about the thefts and/or the suspects is asked to call the 5th/6th District Investigative Section at 240-773-6237. Callers may remain anonymous.

###

Contact: Media Services Division Phone: 240.773.5030

Via Connected Communites, where reports for all six districts are available.

P1 Beat:

• An attempted rape occurred on Saturday, 1/31 in the 100 block of Duvall Lane in Gaithersburg. The male suspect was detained by others at the scene and arrested.
• A garage burglary occurred in the 400 block of Buttry Road in Gaithersburg overnight between Thursday, 1/29 at 11:30 p.m. and Friday, 1/30 at 7:30 a.m. Forced entry and once inside the garage, suspects found the keys to two vehicles. Suspects stole one of the vehicles. Vehicle later recovered in Gaithersburg.
• A theft from a vehicle occurred on Briarstone Lane in Gaithersburg overnight between Thursday, 1/29 and Friday, 1/30. Suspects entered an unlocked vehicle and removed a cell phone.

P2 Beat:

• No significant activity

R1 Beat:

• A garage burglary occurred in the 20100 block of Green Run Court in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 1/27 between 3:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Suspects entered an unlocked door and removed a bicycle.
• A garage burglary occurred in the 20100 block of Green Run Court in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 1/27 between 3:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Suspects broke window and removed cash from the vehicle.
• A garage burglary occurred in the 18000 block of Royal Bonnet Circle in Montgomery Village on Tuesday, 1/27 between 3:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Suspects entered through the open garage and removed cash from the unlocked vehicle.
• A theft of a vehicle occurred in the 9500 block of Treyford Terrace in Montgomery Village on Wednesday, 1/28. Suspects removed a 1997 Honda Accord.
• A theft of a vehicle occurred in the 18400 block of Lost Knife Circle in Montgomery Village overnight between Friday, 1/30 and Saturday, 1/31. Suspects removed a 2002 Kia Spectra.

R2 Beat:

• No significant activity.

S1 Beat:

• A street robbery occurred at the Holbrook Shopping Center located in the 400 block of South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg on Saturday, 1/31 around 2:20 p.m. An off-duty officer observed the suspect hit the victim repeatedly. Investigation revealed that the suspect was demanding money and began hitting him. Suspect arrested at the scene.
• A street robbery occurred in the area of North Summit Drive and East Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg on Saturday, 1/31 around 9:20 p.m. Two suspects approached the adult male victim and asked for money. When the victim declined, they struck the victim in the face and fled on foot. Nothing was obtained.

  Suspect: H/M short hair, white & yellow sweatshirt, light blue jeans
  Suspect: H/M short hair, dark blue pants

• An attempted theft from a vehicle occurred in the 100 block of Harmony Hall Road in Gaithersburg overnight between Thursday, 1/29 and Friday, 1/30. Suspects entered an unlocked vehicle but did not remove any property.
• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 100 block of Harmony Hall Road in Gaithersburg overnight between Thursday, 1/29 and Friday, 1/30. Suspects entered an unlocked vehicle and removed loose change.
• An attempted theft from a vehicle occurred in the 100 block of Harmony Hall Road in Gaithersburg overnight between Thursday, 1/29 and Friday, 1/30. Suspects entered an unlocked vehicle but did not remove any property.
• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 100 block of Harmony Hall Road in Gaithersburg overnight between Thursday, 1/29 and Friday, 1/30. Suspects entered an unlocked vehicle and removed a wallet containing cash.

S2 Beat:

• A strong-arm robbery occurred in the 18300 block of Streamside Drive in Gaithersburg when two juvenile males were accosted on Monday, 1/26 around 4:40 p.m. One B/M suspect, accompanied by five other B/Ms drove up alongside them, exited, and threatened to assault them if they did not
  turn over their property. One victim gave them his iPod and the suspects fled
  Suspect: B/M 18-20 years, 6’3”, 170 lbs., unshaven, dredlocks with blonde highlights
  Suspect Vehicle: Gold 4-door Honda with dark tinted windows
• A theft of a vehicle occurred in the 7500 block of Laytonia Drive in Derwood on Thursday, 1/29 between 2:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Suspects removed a 2004 Ford Escape. Vehicle later recovered in the Rockville District.

Via Connected Communites, where reports for all six districts are available.

P1 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred in the 15700 block of Mahogany Circle between Sunday, January 11, at 5:30 p.m. and Monday January 12, at 1:30 a.m. No forced entry and property was taken.
• A strong-arm robbery occurred at the Washingtonian Café, 10003 Fields Road, on Friday, January 23, around 12:20 a.m. One suspect posed as a customer, asking for a pack of cigars. When the employee opened the register, the suspect grabbed the cash.
  Both Suspects: B/M, 5’7” to 5’11”, 150-170 lbs., black jackets
• Three thefts from vehicles occurred in the 600 block of Coral Reef Drive on Wednesday, January 21, between 12:00 a.m. and 6 a.m. Windows were smashed to steal a GPS unit, clothing, and a portable DVD player.
• Five attempted vehicle thefts of Dodge product vehicles occurred between Thursday, January 22, and Friday, January 23. The vehicles were parked on the 300, 700, and 900 blocks of West Side Drive and the 300 block of Palm Spring Drive.

P2 Beat:

• An armed robbery occurred of a pizza deliverer in the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard on Saturday, January 24, around 9:00 p.m. One suspect walked up to the adult male victim brandishing a handgun. Two other suspects came up from behind and took the victim’s car keys, then searched his vehicle. They obtained cash and food before fleeing on foot.

  Suspect: B/M, 5’6”, 150 lbs.
  Suspect: B/M, 15-18 years, 6’0” to 6’2”, 160-170 lbs.
  Suspect: B/M, 15-18 years

• A robbery occurred on Sunday, January 25, around 3:15 p.m. at the T. T. Nail Spa at 460 North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Employees and customers were robbed at gunpoint by two suspects who brandished handguns.

  Suspect: B/M, 20-25 years, 5’6”, black hoodie, purple bandana
  Suspect: B/M, 20-25 years, 5’10” to 5’11”, black hoodie, black ski mask

• A residential burglary occurred in the 100 block of Cherrywood Terrace on Friday, January 23, just after 3:00 a.m. No forced entry, property and two cars taken.
• A residential burglary occurred in the 100 block of Cherrywood Terrace on Tuesday, January 20, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. No forced entry, property taken.

R1 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred in the 18200 block of Willow Creek Way between Wednesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 22. Forced entry, nothing taken.
• An aggravated sexual assault occurred in the laundry room of athye 18300 block of Lost Knife Circle on Monday, January 26, around 12:00 p.m. The suspect approached a cleaning woman and appeared to be seeking assistance with an address. The suspect then grabbed her, displayed a knife, and touched her inappropriately. A resident came upon the scene and the suspect fled.

  Suspect: B/M, 20-30 years, 5’7”, all-black clothing

R2 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred at an unknown time between Monday, January 19, and Friday, January 23. Forced entry, a party was held inside.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Problems surface in ‘Smart Growth’ plan:
  

  Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett’s “Smart Growth Initiative” has hit a number of snags, including finding homes for two major industrial facilities; settling on a price for the Webb Tract; and having to pay $7.7 million more than expected to buy a 36-acre property.

• Nathan Carrick writes, State takes a new look at Gude Landfill contamination:
  

  State environment officials have asked for county pollution data on the Gude Landfill after a group of Rockville residents exposed years of toxic contamination from the site.

  Peter Karasik, of the county’s Department of Environmental Protection, said the state stopped monitoring Gude after the landfill closed in 1982 but in light of the activism of a residents’ group, Gude Landfill Concerned Citizens, is renewing their review of the defunct facility.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Gaithersburg leaders firm on growth plan:
  

  Gaithersburg city leaders remain resolute about potential expansion boundaries defined in a municipal growth plan that could guide city development for decades.

  They gave city officials guidance at a public hearing Monday to keep the Belward farm, Shady Grove Life Sciences Center, the University of Maryland at Shady Grove, and Johns Hopkins University and other large parcels in the county’s technology corridor in Gaithersburg’s proposed growth plan.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Economic development emerges as priority for Gaithersburg:
  

  Gaithersburg City Manager Angel Jones wants the city to form a nonprofit economic development corporation to help draw new revenues in the face of the stalled housing market.

  According to finance officials, the city’s fiscal 2009 budget will see a deficit of more than $3.5 million and next year’s revenues could plummet further.

• Sebastian Montes writes, ‘Gaithersburg West’ heads to Planning Board for scrutiny:
  

  After more than a year of community debate, the Montgomery County Planning Board is set Thursday to launch into its months-long process to craft a blueprint that regulators will follow as an 800-acre area in and around the county’s primary biotech and research hub quadruples in size over the next 40 years.

• Susan Singer-Bart writes, County pits preservation against property rights:
  

  The recent County Council vote to remove a Damascus church from historic designation and an anticipated bill to bolster property owners’ rights worries preservationists, who fear a fundamental shift in the county’s approach to what is historic will endanger its architectural resources.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Henderson’s murder trial gets under way:
  

  The murder trial of Shawn M. Henderson opened Tuesday with the defendant’s lawyer telling the jury that blame for the shooting death of a Gaithersburg woman in April rests with another man — one acquitted of the murder by a jury last month.

  On the first day of the Montgomery County Circuit Court trial, Henderson’s girlfriend testified that he told her during a phone call that he had shot the woman.

• Sebastian Montes, C. Benjamin Ford and Janel Davis write, ICE will get names of violent suspects:
  

  Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has ordered county law enforcement officials to send the names of all people arrested and charged with violent crimes and any gun violation to federal immigration agents to see if they want to hold them, easing concerns over racial profiling of immigrants.

  Leggett (D) announced the rules Tuesday after months of uproar sparked by two killings allegedly committed by suspects who were in the country illegally.

• Joe Beck writes, Police seek help in identifying homicide victim:
  

  County police said Tuesday they hope a computer-generated sketch of an unidentified homicide victim whose body was found last week in Germantown will produce a breakthrough in the stalled investigation.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Teens arrested for robbing pizza deliverer:
  

  Three 15-year-olds from Gaithersburg were charged in connection to an armed robbery of a pizza delivery man in which the teens absconded with cash and pizza.

  “Whatever the delivery guy had in his hands, they grabbed that and ran,” said Officer Megan Duffey, a Montgomery County Police spokeswoman.

• C. Benjamin Ford writes, Budget cuts hitting the MARC:
  

  When people drove less and took the train more because of higher gasoline prices, MARC’s budget took a hit.

  A Montgomery County delegate is hoping to change that and is pushing other improvements for the commuter rail service.

  “People are very interested in having choices in how they travel,” said Del. Alfred C. Carr Jr. (D-Dist. 18) of Kensington.

• Gazette Staff write, Wegmans could come to the upcounty:
  

  Germantown is slated to become the prize winner in the county to land super grocery store company Wegmans, if all goes as planned for the mixed-use project Minkoff Development Corp. has in mind for the north end of its Seneca Meadows property.

From the City’s website:

Monday, February 09, 2009

Attempted Armed Robbery

On 02/09/09 at 10:46p.m., police responded to the 300 block of North Summit Avenue for a robbery. Suspect struck the victim and attempted to steal the victim’s property. An arrest was made in the incident.

On 02/09/2009 at 3:54 p.m. units responded to the Wachovia Bank, 607 North Frederick Avenue, for an attempt bank robbery. Suspect entered the bank and demanded cash via a note. Suspect obtained nothing and fled the bank on foot. Investigation to continue.

Suspect: white female, 18 - 25 years, under 5′00″, approximately 120 lbs, blonde shoulder length wig, red scarf, blue pants, black jacket

---

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Attempted Rape

On 01/31/09 at 4:00p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Duvall Lane for the report of a sexual assault. The victim reported being inappropriately touched by a known suspect. The suspect was arrested at the scene.

Attempted Strong Arm Robbery

On 01/31/09, at 9:51 p.m., the two suspects approached an individual at the intersection of North Summit Avenue and East Diamond Avenue and demanded money. When the victim advised the suspects that he did not have any money, they punched him and ran away, last seen running towards S. Frederick Avenue. An investigation is ongoing.

Suspect #1 - Hispanic male, short hair, wearing a white and yellow sweatshirt and blue jeans.
Suspect #2 - Hispanic male, short hair, wearing dark blue pants.

Strong Arm Robbery

On 01/31/09, at 2:20 p.m., a male was approached by a suspect in the 400 block of S. Frederick Avenue. The suspect demanded money from the victim. When the victim refused, the suspect struck the victim and a brief struggle ensued. Police responded and observed the altercation in progress. The suspect was taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers. The suspect was arrested on the scene.

---

Friday, January 30, 2009

Burglary

On 01/30/09, at approximately 7:34 a.m., police responded to the 400 block of Buttry Road for the report of a burglary. A garage window had been forced open and the suspects found the keys to two of the vehicles hanging on a keyboard. One vehicle was rummaged through while the second vehicle was taken. The vehicle was recovered later that morning in a parking lot on Goshen Road.

---

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Burglary

On 01/29/09, between 2:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m, the VFW Post #9862 located at 211 N Frederick Avenue was burglarized. There were no signs of forced entry and money was taken. Upon investigation a suspect was developed and some of the money was returned.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Work Session: Master Plan, Smart Growth Initiative, 2/9/2009
Posted 2/5/2009

City of Gaithersburg
WORK SESSION
Mayor and City Council
Monday, February 9, 2009
7:30 P.M.
Full Meeting Package (pdf format - 3.5M)

I. Call to Order

II. Announcements

III. Topics

1. JOINT - MP-2-08 - Municipal Growth Element, an Amendment to the 2003 Master Plan

   Background Material (pdf file)

2. Discussion With Montgomery County Officials on the Proposed Smart Growth Initiative (includes the acquisition and reuse of the GE and Finmarc Parcels in Gaithersburg)
   Background Material (pdf file)

IV. Adjournment

• Meghan Tierney writes, Man, woman charged with prostituting underage girls:
  

  Two county residents have been arrested on federal prostitution charges for allegedly drugging three underage girls and forcing them to have sex for money, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

  According to the statement and indictment, Lloyd Mack Royal III, 28, coerced the girls to have sex for pay; hit the girls; threatened the girls and their families; and threatened one of the girls with a handgun between April and May 2007.

• Elahe Izadi writes, Langley Park teen mourned:
  

  The Tiempo Gracia Church in Silver Spring was filled Friday night with about 250 mourners who stood in silence as Maxima Saenz, supported by two men, entered to say goodbye to her only son.

  “Oh my child! Why?” the Langley Park resident cried in Spanish, her sobbing ringing through the church.

  The group gathered for the funeral of 15-year-old Dennis Alfredo Guzman-Saenz, who was found brutally stabbed in a Gaithersburg park on Jan. 19.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Paving yards for cars could be forbidden:
  

  A proposed change to Gaithersburg city code would keep residents from paving their front yards, but one case has already angered neighbors.

  Bill Fallon of Jonker Court in West Riding said he wished the proposed change had come sooner.

  “Why? Because we live next door to a fellow … he paved over every square inch of his front yard,” Fallon said.”

• Patricia M. Murret writes, As property assessments slide, so does Gaithersburg budget:
  

  A drop in real property assessments has left a major dent in Gaithersburg’s revenues that could cause unprecedented circumstances, if continued, and require a change in city strategy, according to a top city official.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, City leaders push 2009 legislative agenda:
  

  City leaders headed to Annapolis on Tuesday to push the city’s 2009 agenda with state senators and delegates.

  “Our transportation priorities have not changed,” said Assistant City Manager Fred Felton on Monday, saying desired goals include completion of the Intercounty Connector on schedule and funding for the Corridor Cities Transitway. Felton, who has called development at the former Casey East and West tracts the county’s “next economic engine” said Gaithersburg also needs state money to ensure successful completion of the Watkins Mill Road interchange off Interstate 270.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Gaithersburg passes sign ordinance:
  

  City leaders changed a city ordinance about election campaign and ballot question signs Monday, after the American Civil Liberties Union pushed to change the law.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Village man arrested for assaulting female jogger:
  

  Montgomery County police have arrested a Montgomery Village man who allegedly assaulted a 28-year-old woman jogging along East Village Avenue, near the man’s home.

  Bilal Noore Shaikh, 42, of the 8300 block of Marketree Circle, was arrested and charged Friday with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and second-degree sexual offense, according to police. He is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center in lieu of $250,000 bond.

• Sebastian Montes writes, DANAC wants to keep CCT stop at office park:
  

  A Bethesda-based developer is pleading with county planners who want to eliminate a Corridor Cities Transitway stop planned for their 26-acre office park, saying that would limit the transit line’s flexibility and stymie plans to turn the office park near the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center into nearly 2-million square feet of office, retail and residential space.

• Janel Davis writes, County economy feeling hurt of national recession:
  

  As if residents needed a reminder, finance officials this week said current economic indicators for the county are slowing.