Public Safety
Bethesda Beacon
Public Safety
Latest reporting from the Public Safety desk.
Public Safety
View MoreSecond assault reported at Bethesda mall since curfew began
Montgomery County police responded to a second-degree assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall on Oct. 24, the second reported assault since the mall's juvenile curfew took effect Sept. 28 and the ninth of 2026, according to a local blog that tracks police calls at the Bethesda retail center.
Public Safety
View MoreU.S. Marshals seek armed suspect in Audi Bethesda carjacking
U.S. Marshals are searching for Joe Cofer, 38, of Washington, D.C., who faces felony carjacking charges after allegedly displaying what appeared to be a handgun during a test drive at Audi Bethesda on June 29 and fleeing in a stolen Audi S5.
Public Safety
View MoreMontgomery County urges caution for Halloween trick-or-treaters
Montgomery County transportation officials are urging drivers to slow down during Halloween weekend, citing data showing children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed on Oct. 31. Free Lyft ride codes will be available Friday and Saturday nights through the SoberRide program.
Public Safety
View MoreBethesda police detain four after shooting near Walter Johnson
Montgomery County police detained four people after finding evidence of a shooting on Rockledge Drive in Bethesda on Wednesday, prompting seven schools including Walter Johnson High School to enter secure status for about 90 minutes before returning to normal operations.
Public Safety
View MoreBethesda's Silk Route restaurant draws second stop work order
The future Silk Route restaurant at 4839 Del Ray Ave. in Bethesda has been hit with a second stop work order, this time from WSSC, after an inspector found work began before a permit was issued.
Public Safety
View MoreBethesda police report two vehicle thefts over Oct. 2-4 weekend
Montgomery County Police reported vehicle thefts from Woodmont Avenue and Oakridge Lane in Bethesda during the Oct. 2-4 weekend, continuing a pattern of auto thefts in the 2nd District amid a countywide surge.
Public Safety
View MoreAssault reported at Westbard Avenue bus stop in Bethesda
A second-degree assault was reported at a bus stop in the 5400 block of Westbard Avenue in Bethesda on Oct. 1, according to a local blog, though Montgomery County Police have not publicly confirmed the incident.
Public Safety
View MoreChevy Chase Village vaccine clinic returns Oct. 20 with nine shots
Chevy Chase Village's annual vaccine clinic returns Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Village Hall, offering COVID-19, flu, shingles and six other vaccines through Giant Pharmacy; pre-registration is required.
Public Safety
View MoreMontgomery Mall logs seventh assault of 2026
Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda has recorded seven reported assaults so far in 2026, already past the halfway mark of the 12 logged in all of 2025, after police responded to a second-degree assault on Monday, Sept. 14.
Public Safety
View MoreBethesda police investigate antisemitic graffiti at elementary school
Montgomery County police are investigating antisemitic and racist graffiti found at a Bethesda elementary school on Labor Day, the second hate-motivated vandalism at a local school this year.
Public Safety
View MoreSuburban Hospital closes ER to ambulances on Labor Day
Suburban Hospital in Bethesda closed its emergency department to ambulances on Labor Day after a technology network failure triggered Code Black status at three Johns Hopkins hospitals; a spokesperson said full service was restored by 5 p.m. and ruled out a cyberattack.
.png)
Public Safety
View MoreBethesda 2nd District reports robbery, four thefts over weekend
Montgomery County Police reported five incidents in the Bethesda-area 2nd District over the Aug. 28–30 weekend, including a robbery by a group of suspects on Wisconsin Avenue and multiple vehicle thefts. No arrests have been reported.
©2026 Bethesda Beacon
Powered by Surround Sound Media