Top Headlines: Sex Charges, Malls and Increased Police

Each week editors compile the top stories from Patch sites across Montgomery County. You can get the news delivered to your inbox daily by subscribing to your Patch’s newsletter.

CHEVY CHASE — Police presence in the Town of Somerset, a Chevy Chase municipality, increased last week—from about 11 hours a week to 40 hours a week—following one burglary and two attempted burglaries. The increased patrols will continue until further notice. 

BETHESDA -- The lawyers of a Falls Church National Guardsman accused of soliciting sex from a 12-year-old Bethesda girl say the charges against him are "unfounded."

GAITHERSBURG—, Lakeforest Mall is off the market. Five Mile Capital Partners, an asset management firm based in Stamford, Conn., acquired  last week for nearly $100 million after its previous owners defaulted on loan payments, Gaithersburg Economic Development Director Tom Lonergan confirmed at Tuesday's mayor and Council meeting. .

Bethesda and Chevy Chase residents may recognize the founders from Clyde’s Restaurant Group and O’Donnell’s Sea Grill. The restaurant will serve dishes such as grilled oyster, fish, crab, mussels and Old Bay fries.

ROCKVILLE—Montgomery County Republican Party Chairman Mark Uncapher responded to a protest of Mitt Romney by school bus drivers by asking if bus drivers were willing to accept responsibility for failing schools.