Police Arrest Teens in Connection With Vandalism at Regional Services Center

Montgomery County police have arrested several teenagers they say may be connected to vandalism at the on Edgemoor Lane.

The Gazette is reporting the teens are from Potomac, Rockville and Chevy Chase. Montgomery County police wouldn't release further information on where the teens are from.

The regional services center has been vandalized seven times since October, according Cpl. Dan Friz, a spokesman for Montgomery County Police. During the incidents, the walls and windows of the regional services center were “tagged” with graffiti.

Police were investigating in the area Jan. 14 when they saw four boys walk up to the regional services center and begin to mark the walls and windows with graffiti. The boys fled when they were approached by police, but officers apprehended one of the boys — a 14-year-old — and arrested him. The boy was charged as a juvenile with malicious destruction of property under $500, two counts of county graffiti violations, possession of alcohol, and possession of cigarettes. The boy was released to the custody of his father, pending judicial proceedings.

Police later charged three 15-year-old male suspects in the case with malicious destruction of property under $500 and released them to the custody of their parents.

Police are investigating whether the boys might be related to the previous vandalism at the regional services center.

Police in downtown Bethesda often patrol the nearby courtyard close to  where youth often loiter, Friz said. Friz wasn’t sure whether the vandalism could be connected.

“They patrol that area and try to keep loitering to a minimum,” Friz said. “I would definitely say it’s not outside the realm of possibility — it could certainly be related, but they haven’t correlated it.”