gaithersblog.net

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

P1 Beat:

• No significant activity.

P2 Beat:

• An attempted apartment burglary occurred in the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg on Monday, 3/9 between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Attempted forced entry, nothing taken.

R1 Beat:

• A theft occurred at the Holiday Inn, 2 Montgomery Village Avenue in Montgomery Village on Monday, 3/9 between 5:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. A guest reported jewelry missing from a hotel room. No forced entry.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 18200 block of Willow Creek Terrace in Montgomery Village between Thursday, 3/12 and Friday, 3/13. Window broken, electronics taken.

• An attempted theft from a vehicle occurred in the 9300 block of Willow Creek Drive in Montgomery Village overnight between Thursday, 3/12 and Friday, 3/13. Window broken, nothing taken.

R2 Beat:

• A strong-arm robbery occurred on Sunday, 3/15 at 6:55 p.m. when an adult male was riding his bicycle in the 10300 block of Ridgeline Drive in Montgomery Village and was confronted by 5 suspects. The victim was knocked off his bike and hit. His property was stolen and the suspects fled.

  Suspect: B/M 19-20 years, 5’5”, 150, crew cut, black jacket, blue jeans
  Suspect: B/M 14-15 years, 5’5”, 150, crew cut, black jacket, blue jeans
  Suspect: B/M 16-17 years, 5’5”, 170, mustache, crew cut, black jacket
  Suspect: B/F 16-17 years, 5’9”, 140, blue jacket, blue jeans
  Suspect: B/F 20-21 years, 5’0”, 100, short hair, red hooded sweatshirt, carrying large black purse

• A strong-arm robbery occurred at Roy Martin Park in the 8600 block of East Village Avenue in Montgomery Village on Tuesday, 3/17 around 8:15 p.m. The male victim was approached by male two suspects who punched him in the face and stole his cash.

S1 Beat:

• An armed robbery occurred at the Citgo gas station, 409 East Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg on Wednesday, 3/11 around 9:00 p.m. The suspect entered, immediately pointed a BB gun at the employee, and demanded cash. Before the victim could react, the suspect shot the victim in the face. The victim fled out the back door and the suspect fled without obtaining anything.
  Suspect: B/M, 6’0”, all black clothing, baseball cap, hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses, bandana over his face

• A burglary occurred at the construction site at Washington Grove Elementary, 8712 Oakmont Street in Gaithersburg at an unknown time between Friday, 3/13 and Monday, 3/16. Forced entry, copper fittings and other tools were taken.

S2 Beat:

• No significant activity

Note that the first incident listed below is showing up in local news outlet, e.g. Channel 9’s report: Police Arrest Man In Attempted Rape And Robbery in Park. Photo below via Connected Communities.

From the City’s website:

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Arrest

On 03/29/09, at 11:43 a.m., a woman was walking on the bike path in Malcolm King Park near Appleseed Lane when a man on a bicycle jumped off his bicycle and asked the victim if she had any money. When the victim advised that she did not have any money, he knocked her to the ground, got on top of her, and reached into her pants with his hand. The man choked the woman when she attempted to scream. He fled when other bicyclists appeared on the path, and was apprehended by police a short distance away as he was exiting the woods. He was identified by a witness as the attacker and was arrested. The man has been charged with 1st Degree Assault, Robbery, 2nd Degree Assault, attempted 3rd Degree Sex Offense, and 4th Degree Sex Offense.

Arrested: Denis Ofelio Cuadra

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Burglary

Sometime between 01/01/2009 abd 01/03/2009 unknown suspect(s) entered an apartment in the unit block of Arch Place and took digital equipment and cash. Investigation to continue.

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Attempted Armed Robbery

On 3/26/09 at 4:26 p.m., there was an attempted armed robbery, in the 700 block of Russell Avenue. The victim reported being approached by a suspect that was armed with a knife. The victim immediately called for assistance and the suspect fled on foot.

Suspect: A white male 38-40 years old, 5′-8″, 180 pounds, long blonde curly hair wearing dark jeans and a brown button down shirt.

Significant Events

On 03/26/09 at 10:00 p.m. police responded to the 400 block of North Frederick Avenue for several calls from residents advising of the sound of gunshots. Investigation determined that two groups of men had a dispute which escalated to the exchange of gunfire. The apartment building was evacuated by police when the occupants of the apartment involved refused to comply with police commands to come out. The occupants eventually came out of the apartment after speaking with police negotiators and were arrested without incident. Police recovered guns and drugs at the scene. There were no injuries as a result of the gunfire, but one woman was injured when she attempted to escape from a third floor window. Three males of unknown description fled the scene prior to police arriving.

The Historic District Commission issue in this work session is that Gaithersburg, unlike just about any other local government with a historic preservation ordinance, has two separate bodies that must consider changes to historic properties. The first of these is the Historic District Commission, or HDC. This is the body that has the actual authority to make the final decisions, and having one of these is generally a requirement of having a historic district. There are two unusual aspects to Gaithersburg’s HDC. First is that its members have always been the Mayor and the members of the City Council, and the Mayor is always voted in as the Chairman of the HDC. There is nothing in the City’s historic preservation ordinance that requires this, it just has always been done this way; the Commission members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council, and they just always appoint themselves. Meetings of the HDC are always held during recesses of meetings of the Mayor and Council, and no one has to move from one chair to another. The second unusual thing is that the HDC does not do much of the work of a traditional HDC; for example they do not hold public hearings on most historic preservation issues. The initial, and typically only, public hearing on modifications to historic structures is handled by the other body called for in the City’s preservation ordinance.

This second body is the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, or HPAC. This group is also appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council, but the members have always been citizens with an interest and expertise in historic preservation. Among other responsibilities, the HPAC holds public hearings on Historic Area Work Permits and makes recommendations to the HDC. Typically, the HDC agrees with the HPAC, but there have been controversial cases wherein the HDC has rejected the HPAC’s recommendation. In most other communities this group of citizens would sit as the HDC and would have the power to make the actual decisions, serving a role similar to that of the Planning Commission.

A cynic might conclude that things are set up the way they are to maintain some political control over the process of historic preservation in Gaithersburg. The Maryland Association of Historic District Commisions recently reviewed Gaithersburg’s process – in fact this work session is in response to this review – and made a series of recommendations; the fourth of these was:

4. MAHDC is concerned that there appears to be an inherent conflict of interest here. Council Members and the Mayor have a stake in seeing the advancement of projects which they may have initiated in their role as government officials. Can they rule impartially on such cases? Gaithersburg should ask its City Attorney to review this provision. The HDC may want to consider limiting its ability to overrule HPAC findings in cases that involve City actions.

City staff’s response to this was:

A4. This issue has been reviewed by the City Attorney. No changes are recommended.

If you have an interest in historic preservation in Gaithersburg, the background materials for this work session are recommended reading; public input will be accepted at the meeting on Monday night.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Work Session: Shady Grove Hospital, Historic District Commission, 3/30/2009

Posted 3/24/2009

City of Gaithersburg
WORK SESSION
Mayor and City Council

Monday, March 30, 2009
7:30 P.M.
Full Meeting Package (pdf format 7.7M)

1. Briefing from Shady Grove Adventist Hospital (future operations and facility planning)

   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Discussion of Membership of the Historic District Commission
   Background Material (pdf format)

3. Maryland Association of Historic District Commission (MAHDC) Site Visit Report and Staff Recommendations
   Background Material (pdf format)

From the City’s website:

Public Comment Sought on FY 2010 Budget

Posted 3/23/2009

Date Change Advisory

The proposed City of Gaithersburg Fiscal Year 2010 budget will be available for review and comment in late April.  There is ample opportunity throughout the process for the public to provide input and feedback on both the operating and capital improvement plan budgets.  Please note that the dates for budget availability, Work Sessions and closing of the record have changed from what was previously advertised.

Public testimony will be accepted during the Budget Public Hearing.  The public may also speak during the Budget Work Sessions.  These meetings, held in the City Hall Council Chambers, are televised live on Gaithersburg TV, Comcast Channel 13 within the City limits.  Gaithersburg TV can also be viewed live online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/tv.  The meetings are archived on the website for on-demand viewing at any time.

Comment may also be made in writing and will become part of the public record.  Written comments may be directed to City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD  20877 or e-mail cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov.  They must be received by close of business on Friday, May 29.  For more information on the budget process please contact the Office of the City Manager at 301-258-6310.

Monday, April 20	Proposed Budget Available for Public Viewing
Monday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.	Budget Public Hearing
Tuesday, May 5, 7:30 p.m.	Budget Work Session
Thursday, May 7, 7:30 p.m.	Budget Work Session
Monday, May 11 (if necessary)	Budget Work Session
Friday, May 22	Record Closes on Budget Public Hearing Last day for public comment
Monday, June 1, 7:30 p.m.	Budget Adoption
Wednesday, July 1	FY 2010 Budget Becomes Effective

Photo courtesy Clark W Day Photo-Graphics

Update 3: The City issued the following press release:

Police Investigate Shooting Incident at Gaithersburg Apartment Building
Posted 3/27/2009

Gaithersburg Police Detectives are investigating a shooting incident that occurred at 10:00 p.m. on March 26 in an apartment building in the 400 block of North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.

At 10:00 p.m. police received several calls from residents in the 400 block of North Frederick Avenue advising of the sounds of gunfire. Investigation revealed that three men arrived at the apartment building and engaged in a verbal dispute with three men inside one of the apartments. The dispute escalated and the two groups exchanged gunfire. One group retreated into the apartment, and the other group fled the scene in an unknown vehicle.

Police evacuated the apartment building and cordoned off the area. The occupants of the apartment initially refused to come out for police and were observed throwing drugs and guns out a rear window of the apartment. The Montgomery County Police Emergency Response Team responded and a police negotiator was able to convince the occupants of the apartment to exit the apartment without incident.

No one was injured from the gunfire, but a woman who had been in the apartment injured her ankle as she attempted to escape from a third floor window. She was transported to an area hospital.

The residents of the apartment building were not allowed back into their homes for approximately four hours as the police investigated the incident.

The three men found in the apartment have been charged by the Gaithersburg Police with Reckless Endangerment; Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances; Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in Drug Trafficking; and Discharging a Firearm in the Urban Area. The identities of the three men charged are not being released at this time. The investigation is continuing. This incident is considered to be gang-related.

Update: Channel 9 has a video online.

According to WTOP:

An apartment building has been evacuated after gunfire broke out Thursday night in Gaithersburg.

Gaithersburg Police tell WTOP shots were exchanged around 10 p.m. between two groups in the 400 block of North Frederick Road.

Upon searching the building, police found guns behind an apartment that is the home to six tenants. Police believe the weapons were tossed from the window.

According to Channel 7:

The Montgomery County Police Department’s SWAT team was called to the scene. The standoff ended shortly before midnight, according to Lt. Starks.

WTOP also reported that a woman was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after jumping from a third-floor window when she heard the shots. Witnesses, WTOP says, saw three people flee the scene.

By early morning on Friday, the case had been turned over to Gaithersburg police.

According to Channel 9:

GAITHERSBURG, Md. (WUSA) — Montgomery County Police and S.W.A.T are on the scene of a shooting and standoff. Just after 10:15pm, Police responded to 439 North Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, Md. for reports of two men firing shotguns last seen running into an apartment building. A woman was reportedly seen jumping from a 2nd story window. She is being treated on the scene at this time.

Montgomery County Police and S.W.A.T have set up a perimeter and are closing off areas around this very active scene. 9 News Now Digital Correspondent, Nancy Yamada is in route and she will have the latest on this developing story after the NCAA Basketball games.

According to WTOP:

GAITHERSBURG, Md. - Route 355 in Gaithersburg is closed in both directions between Perry Parkway and south of Montgomery Village Avenue due to police activity.

WTOP has been in contact with the Montgomery County Police Department, but there is no further information at this time.

More details will follow as they become available.

A Gaithersblog reader asked if I’d heard anything about a wolf prowling in Gaithersburg; asking around, I got the following information from a City employee:

Animal Control and City/County police officers spent an hour+ last night pursuing an at-large, white, domestic wolf-hybrid in the areas of Muddy Branch, West Side Dr., West Deer Park, Observatory Heights and Londonderry. Despite its appearance, it is not a wolf and the dog did not exhibit any aggressive behaviors while being pursued by several officers. Further sightings should be reported to Animal Control at 301-258-6343.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Gaithersburg High School upgrade may be delayed:
  

  Despite county assurances in response to years of parent efforts, four Montgomery County high schools is facing yet another delay to being modernized as the state’s contribution to school construction is coming $14 million short of expectations.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, City travel budgets are under review:
  

  Money spent on travel and training are under scrutiny in Gaithersburg as the city manager prepares for several years of revenue shortfall. Raising interest among some city officials is the travel budget for city leaders, which is at least 150 percent higher than that of most departments and makes up nearly one-third of the city’s nearly $88,000 travel and training budget.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Defendant reneges on murder plea:
  

  The suspect in the June killing of a beloved Montgomery Village waiter told a judge last week that his guilty plea was compelled by his lawyer and asked for his case to go to trial.

  Facing upwards of 30 years in jail followed by deportation to El Salvador, Manuel Antonio Barahona, 19, of Gaithersburg, insisted at his sentencing in Montgomery County Circuit Court on March 17 that he did not kill 24-year-old Longyuan “Mooney” Wang, who was stabbed to death June 5 while walking home from work at the Red Robin restaurant in Lakeforest mall.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Shepherd gets maximum sentence in Harvey killing:
  

  A 20-year-old Gaithersburg man found guilty of conspiracy to commit an armed robbery was given the maximum penalty Monday by a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge, who said his poor decisions ultimately resulted in the April murder of a Gaithersburg woman.

  “Another life gone,” said Juanita Brown of Gaithersburg in anger, following the sentencing of her nephew, Aaron Shepherd, one of three men convicted in connection with the April 13 death of Lindsay Marie Harvey, 25, who was killed during a robbery outside her home at the Grove Park Apartments on Quince Orchard Boulevard.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Transit, density of Gaithersburg West doubted:
  

  The Gaithersburg West master plan is heading into its first public hearing Thursday with growing skepticism over some of its pivotal assumptions on transit and density.

• C. Benjamin Ford writes, Montgomery gets kudos for red-light camera use criteria:
  

  A stoplight enforcement program in New Carrollton has AAA Mid-Atlantic seeing red, but the automobile group praised the enforcement program in Montgomery County.

From the City’s website:

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Arson

On 03/24/2009 at 3:18 am., Police responded to a vehicle fire in the 300 blk. Of N. Summit Ave. The owner of the van that was burned received threats earlier in the day that had gone unreported. The fire was determined to be an arson and is currently under investigation by the Montgomery County Fire Marshalls Office.

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Sunday, March 22, 2009

Strong Arm Robbery

On 03/22/2009 at 7:41 pm., Police responded for the report of a man who was beaten and robbed in the 600 blk. Of Quince Orchard Road. The three male suspects punched, kicked and removed the victims wallet from his trouser pocket and fled on foot. The suspects obtained the victims money and identification.

Vandalism

On 03/22/2009 at 11:29 pm., seven cars were discovered with the windshields smashed out in the 300 blk. Of Cedar Ave.

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Armed Robbery

On 03/21/2009 at 1254 am. Two victims were approached in the parking lot of the 1000 blk. Of Westside Dr. by two hispanic men armed with a handgun and a shotgun. Money and a cell phone were taken from the victims. The suspects fled the area in a black vehicle.

Burglary Arrest

on 03/21/2009 at 3:54 am. Police responded to a glass breakage alarm, in the 200 unit block of Muddy Branch Road. Upon arrival, the Police located and arrested the suspect on scene.

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Attempted Burglary

On 03/18/09, there was an attempted burglary of a residence, in the unit block of Maryland Avenue.

This week’s full meeting package, in addition to a short note about the work session topic, includes 50 or so pages of documentation from the Federal Government and the Council of Governments which among other things outlines the implementation of the federal stimulus and what funding might be available directly to the Gaithersburg City Government. One document included in there is a letter to the City from the department of Housing and Urban Development saying that the City had been approved for $120,682 in Community Development Block Grants. My understanding is that these funds are in addition to the funds that Gaithersburg typically receives, about $475,000 per year; thus this amounts to about a 25% increase.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Work Session: Bus Rapid Transit, 3/23/2009
Posted 3/12/2009

City of Gaithersburg
WORK SESSION

Mayor and City Council
Monday, March 23, 2009
7:30 P.M.
Full Meeting Package (pdf format - 6.6M)

• Receive Presentation from County Councilmember Marc Elrich on a Concept for Bus Rapid Transit
  Meeting Package (pdf format)

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

P1 Beat:

• A residential armed robbery occurred in the 400 block of West Side Drive in Gaithersburg on Sunday, 3/8 around 11:15 a.m. The female victim was leaving her apartment when a suspect with a knife forced his way in. Two adult males were nearby and were able to detain the suspect till officers arrived. Suspect was arrested at the scene.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the parking lot at Red Kiln Court and Mahogany Circle in Gaithersburg overnight between Thursday, 3/5 and Friday, 3/6. Suspects broke a window and removed a GPS unit.

• Three thefts from a vehicles occurred in the 17200 block of King James Way in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 3/10. Suspects broke the window and removed the car stereos from three vehicles.

P2 Beat:

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 400 block of North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 3/5 between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Suspects entered an unlocked vehicle and removed property.

• An attempted burglary occurred at the Diamond Veterinary Clinic, 17000 Longdraft Road in Gaithersburg between Monday, 3/9 and Tuesday, 3/10. There was forced entry but nothing was removed.

R1 Beat:

• A home invasion robbery occurred in the 18700 block of Walkers Choice Road in Montgomery Village on Tuesday, 3/3 around 9:20 a.m. Three suspects, armed with small bats, kicked in the front door and assaulted two adult females inside while looking for another member of the victims’ family. All suspects, 34-year-old female, and two teen-aged males, fled to Hgerstown, were involved in another altercation, and arrested.

• An aggravated assault occurred outside in the 18000 block of Royal Bonnet Circle in Montgomery Village on Wednesday, 3/4 at approximately 5:00 p.m. The male victim was struck with a beer bottle and was able to fend off his attackers.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 18500 block of Locust Point Court in Montgomery Village
  overnight between Monday, 3/2 and Tuesday, 3/3. Suspects broke the window and removed a GPS unit.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 18700 block of Nathan’s Place in Montgomery Village at an unknown time between Friday, 3/6 and Sunday, 3/8. Suspects broke the window and removed a GPS unit.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 400 block of Christopher Avenue in Montgomery Village on Saturday, 3/7. Suspects broke the window and removed a radio system.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 18000 block of Singing Pine Circle in Montgomery Village on Saturday, 3/7. Suspects broke the window and removed a GPS unit.

• Atheft from a vehicle occurred in the 9800 block of Lake Shore Drive in ontgomery Village on Sunday, 3/8. Suspects broke the window and removed a GPS unit.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 700 block of Russell Avenue in Montgomery Village on Monday, 3/2 at an unknown time. Suspects entered an unlocked vehicle and removed two bags of clothing.

R2 Beat:

• A weapons arrest was made on Wednesday, 3/4 at 11:30 p.m. after an off-duty officer observed two suspects acting in a suspicious manner. One of the suspects walked out of sight, and the sound of shots was heard in the 100 block of Watkins Station Circle in Gaithersburg. The two were apprehended a short distance away during a traffic stop and the gun was seized.

• A residential burglary occurred in the 9200 block of La Belle Lane in Montgomery Village on Thursday, 3/5 between 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Suspects forced entry and property was removed.

S1 Beat:

• An aggravated assault that occurred on Crestwood Court in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 3/3 involved an adult male who charged at police officers with a kitchen knife. He was subdued and taken into custody. Investigation is continuing.

S2 Beat:

• An aggravated assault occurred at a tow lot located at 8321 Beechcraft Avenue in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 3/5 around 8:15 a.m. The defendant attempted to flee with his truck without paying his bill. He assaulted the employee and then tried to run him over. Suspect arrested nearby.

• An attempted residential burglary occurred in the 7800 block of Polara Place in Gaithersburg between Thursday, 3/5 at 5:30 p.m. and Friday, 3/6 at 7:00 a.m. Force was used but no entry was made.