Top Headlines Near Bethesda, Chevy Chase: Friendship Heights Robberies, Transit Center Fiasco

Cartier Robbed by Masked Bandits
CHEVY CHASE—A group of masked robbers took control of the Cartier jewelry shop in Friendship Heights' shopping center on Tuesday. Police said the bandits smashed a display case, took a number of items, and sped off toward Washington, DC, in a vehicle with license plates from two different states. Read the full story on Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch.

Gap Robbed at Knifepoint
CHEVY CHASE—Less than an hour after Cartier was robbed Tuesday morning, the Gap store across the street was robbed by a suspect wielding a knife. Read more on Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch.

County: Metro Can't Back Out of Silver Spring Transit Center
SILVER SPRING—A 2008 agreement between Montgomery County and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is legally binding and prevents the transit agency from backing out of plans for Metro to operate the beleaguered Silver Spring Transit Center once it opens, county officials said Wednesday. Read more on Silver Spring Patch.

Council Takes Montgomery County Officials to Task on Transit Center Communication
SILVER SPRING—A communication breakdown over the Silver Spring Transit Center led to harsh words for Montgomery County officials by County Council members Wednesday. Council members were upset that the county executive had not immediately shared a letter from Metro saying that it would not operate the transit center. Read more on Silver Spring Patch.

GAITHERSBURG—Gaithersburg police still hope to identify a suspect in the April 22 attempted kidnapping in the Washingtonian Woods neighborhood. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

Andrew Suh: The Wheaton Police Officer Who Catches Bank Robbers
WHEATON—Shortly after a bank robbery in Wheaton, Officer Andrew Suh walked into a barber shop nearby and found the robbery suspect sitting in a barber chair covered in red paint from the dye pack that had exploded on him as he fled from the bank. Read more on Wheaton Patch.

Gaithersburg Police: Suspicious Letter Came from Fake Canadian Business
GAITHERSBURG—Police and Montgomery County firefighters investigated the letter at Diamond Elementary. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

Watkins Mill's Girls Lacrosse Team Honors Rockville's Michelle Miller
GAITHERSBURG—On a night normally reserved for the honor of the home team's senior class, Watkins Mill's girls lacrosse team honored a fallen member of the opposing team, too. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.

Report: No Legal Fee Coverage for Brickyard Farm Supporters
POTOMAC—The group sought reimbursement for legal fees paid to argue that the lease of the Brickyard property from the school board to the county was not conducted with full public transparency. Read more on Potomac Patch.

BETHESDA—Zen Tara Tea, a popular tea shop in downtown Bethesda, closes on May 26. The sluggish economy, disruptive construction near the shop and loss of nearby parking were cited as reasons for closing up shop. Read more on Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch.

ROCKVILLE—Opponents of plans to bring Walmart to Aspen Hill rallied Tuesday outside the Montgomery County Council building, where they presented a 2,000-signature petition. Read more on Rockville Patch. 

Rockville Native Invited to Olympic Hockey Team Selection Camp
ROCKVILLE—Haley Skarupa, 19, was selected to attend the U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team Selection Camp, which will be held at Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY, this June. Read more on Rockville Patch.

SILVER SPRING—Revenue is down for automated traffic enforcement, even as police consider dozens of new locations, The Examiner newspaper reported. Read more on Silver Spring Patch. 

Federal Bikeshare Grant Funds 200 Bikes in Rockville
ROCKVILLE—Rockville's program is part of a pilot to increase access to biking for lower-income people, county officials said. Read more on Rockville Patch.