“Accidental Candidate” Reveals His Planning Priorities

The newest commissioner on the Montgomery County Planning Board refers to himself as “the accidental candidate” when talking about his appointment. Partap Verma, who joined the board in July, looks at this as a natural transformation from work he began after moving to the Forest Glen area in 2013. His priorities include pedestrian safety, affordable housing, and the upcoming Silver Spring master plan process.

Wayne Avenue Incident an Auto Theft, No Shooting, Police Say

County police are investigating an incident that occurred on Wayne Avenue early this morning as an auto theft, according to a department press release. Officers responded at about 7:18 this morning to a report of a vehicle collision in the 300 block of Wayne, in front of the Silver Spring International Middle School.

Police Arrest Germantown Man in Silver Spring Burglaries

Police from the Third District arrested a Germantown man in connection with two residential burglaries in Silver Spring, according to a press release. Police responded to a report of a burglary in the 700 block of Pershing Drive at about 2:15 a.m. Saturday morning, Oct. 19, and arrested Steven Anderson, age 56, of Germantown.

Detectives Seek Help Identifying Suspect in September Incidents

Detectives from the 3rd District Investigative Section are still investigating two September incidents and are seeking the public’s help to identify a suspect, according to a press release. The department reports that about 1:27 a.m. on Sept. 17, the Children’s Hospital Foundation office located at 801 Roeder St. was burglarized.

Bill Would Formalize County Community Policing Guidelines

A bill to formalize community policing guidelines for the county’s police department was introduced this week by Council President Nancy Navarro (D-District 4) and Councilmember Craig Rice (D-District 2). Bill 33-19, Police – Community Policing would address “core community policing values,” diversity on the force, engagements with the community, complaints against county officers and other issues.

Police Confirm Officer Shot This Morning Has Died

The county police officer that was shot in the Town Center garage this morning died from his wounds, Acting Police Chief Marcus Jones confirmed. Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Jones identified the victim as Officer Thomas J. Bomba, a 13-year veteran of the department.

Police Officer Shot in Downtown Garage

A county police officer was shot this morning in the Town Center garage at the corner of Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street, according to the department’s Twitter feed. “The injured officer called out on radio with disorderly subject in the parking garage at approximately 8:49 am and was located by a responding officer suffering from a gunshot wound,” the department posted.

Police Seek Public Help Identifying Six Robbery Suspects

Detectives with the 3rd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s help to identify six suspects in an assault and robbery of two female juveniles inside Ellsworth Place. The incident took place in mid-afternoon on Oct. 2, when a 16-year old and a 17-year-old were inside a fourth-floor mall restroom and were confronted by the six suspects.