Protecting Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
April is Autism Awareness Month. Learning safety tips is important for everyone, but particularly crucial for those who have autism, an intellectual, developmental, or physical disability, Alzheimer’s, or dementia. Safe habits and tips can include:
When outside your home, always carry your ID, emergency contact information, and your cell phone with location sharing enabled.
Let others know your plans ahead of time, and check in when you arrive and depart your destinations. Have a plan for what to do if you need help or directions.
If possible, travel with another trusted person. Avoid areas that are unfamiliar, not on well-travelled streets or pathways, or locations that are too crowded, as well as situations where you might be alone.
Park and travel in secure, well-lighted areas, keep your car doors locked, and look around your vehicle before exiting or re-entering your vehicle.
Community educators teach strategies such as: avoiding staring too long at strangers, what to do if you encounter a threat or emergency, and practicing how to mentally calm yourself if you are outside your home and suddenly feel symptoms like panic or confusion.
Caregivers can install doorway alarms or alerts at home if a family member has a history of wandering. They can share their contact information with trusted neighbors, and remember if a loved one does wander, call 9-1-1 immediately.
The Montgomery County Police Department developed the Autism/IDD, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia Outreach Program to provide a “total approach” to help residents and law enforcement work together to keep families and neighbors safe.
Many resources for information, advocacy, services, and protection are available in Maryland. To learn more about recognizing the signs of neglect or abuse and how to report it and seek protection in Maryland, visit The People’s Law Library. For a comprehensive list of disability laws, resources, and organizations like Autism Speaks and The Arc, see the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. In addition, Project SAFE (Stop Adult Financial Exploitation) is a coalition of 16 public/private organizations that educate Marylanders on how to avoid financial exploitation.
3/31/26, a male, age 32, was arrested for shoplifting from a business in the 1500 Blk. Rockville Pike.
3/31/26, a female, age 60, was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant at the Rockville City Police Station.
4/1/26, a male, age 38, was arrested for robbery, disorderly conduct, assault on a law enforcement officer, and on an outstanding bench warrant in the 800 Blk. Rockville Pike.
4/2/26, a male, age 33, was arrested on a outstanding bench warrant in the 100 Blk. E. Montgomery Avenue.
4/2/26, a male, age 32, was arrested for trespassing in the Unit Blk. Maryland Avenue.
4/3/26, a female, age 39, was arrested on an outstanding warrant through the Montgomery County Police Department for assault and reckless endangerment at the Rockville City Police Station.
Incidents
200 Blk. Congressional Lane, an unknown subject attempted to break into the victim’s locked vehicle and broke the driver-side door handle, rear door, wiper, and license plate between 5:30 p.m. on 3/30/26 and 7:45 a.m. on 3/31/26.
200 Blk. Rollins Avenue, an unknown subject attempted to break into the victim’s locked vehicle and broke the driver-side door handle between 8:00 p.m. on 3/30/26 and 8:00 a.m. on 3/31/26.
14000 Blk. Cove Lane, an unknown subject broke the rear driver-side window of the victim’s locked vehicle and stole personal property between 7:00 p.m. on 3/30/26 and 11:00 a.m. on 3/31/26.
Unit Blk. Maryland Avenue, an unknown female approached the victim in a public facility and poured water on the victim’s laptop for unknown reasons on 3/31/26 at 2:30 p.m. The subject was described as: a heavy-set white female, approx. 50’s, wearing all black and carrying multiple bags.
Unit Blk. Maryland Avenue, an unknown male left a restaurant without paying for his meal at 6:07 p.m. on 3/31/26.
200 Blk. Congressional Lane, an unknown subject stole personal property from the victim’s unsecured vehicle between 6:00 p.m. on 3/30/26 and 10:45 a.m. on 4/1/26.
1400 Blk. Rockville Pike, a known female assaulted a security guard at a business after being asked to leave for aggressive behavior at 2:30 p.m. on 4/1/26. Charges are forthcoming.
Unit Blk. Taft Court, a known female assaulted an employee of a business for unknown reasons at 10:53 a.m. on 4/2/26. Charges are forthcoming.
1300 Blk. Piccard Drive, an unknown subject opened a package after it was delivered to the mailroom of the victim’s residential building and stole the merchandise between 3:03 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on 3/29/26.
900 Blk. King Farm Boulevard, an unknown subject stole all four tires from the victim’s vehicle while parked overnight between 9:00 p.m. on 4/2/26 and 8:30 a.m. on 4/3/26.
13200 Blk. Atlantic Avenue, an unknown male stole merchandise from a business at 4:20 a.m. on 4/4/26.
1500 Blk. Rockville Pike, a known male and an unknown male stole merchandise from a business at 11:04 p.m. on 4/4/26. Charges have been filed.
1500 Blk. Rockville Pike, an unknown male stole food from a business at 11:25 p.m. on 4/4/26.
700 Blk. Landis Way, an unknown subject attempted to steal a Kia Sorento by breaking the victim’s rear driver-side window and steering column between 12:00 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. on 4/4/26.
1400 Blk. Rockville Pike, an unknown subject stole the victim’s jewelry while placed in a secured locker during a medical appointment at 8:40 a.m. on 4/4/26.
Unit Blk. Starlight Court, an unknown subject stole a cart from the victim’s front yard, broke the pad lock from a rear door, and rummaged through personal property at approx. 8:00 a.m. on 4/1/26.
Intersection of Maryland Avenue and New Mark Esplanade, an unknown subject sprayed graffiti in the walkway to a public park at an unknown date/time. Reported at 4:30 p.m. on 4/4/26.
200 Blk. Rockville Pike, a known female hit the victim when an argument escalated at 12:31 a.m. on 4/5/26.
Unit Blk. Bouldercrest Court, an unknown subject stole the catalytic converters from two vehicles between 6:00 p.m. on 3/31/26 and 4/4/26.
500 Blk. Blandford Street, the victim reported that a known female stole her wallet and threatened her with a knife after being told to leave at 3:00 a.m. on 4/5/26. The victim was referred for charges and obtaining a protection order.
200 Blk. N. Van Buren Street, two unknown subjects fraudulently claimed to represent two businesses and between 9/4/25 and 4/5/26 convinced a couple to purchase gold in order to fund a charitable project.
Unit Blk. Elmcroft Court, two known subjects reported being assaulted by the other following a disagreement at 8:41 p.m. on 4/5/26. The parties were referred for charges and obtaining a protection order.
700 Blk. W. Montgomery Avenue, a known male assaulted the victim on 4/5/25 while they were in a relationship. Incident reported: 4/5/26.
Intersection of Research Boulevard and W. Gude Drive, an unknown male robbed the victim of their iPhone 16 at 8:50 a.m. on 4/6/26 and fled in an unknown direction. The subject was described as a black male wearing a gray hoodie and black pants.
200 Blk. Park Road, an unknown male assaulted the victim after a verbal altercation at 10:56 a.m. on 4/6/26. The subject was described as a bald black male wearing a blue jeans and black t-shirt.
1000 Blk. Crestfield Drive, an unknown subject attempted to break and enter into a residence via a window of the victim’s residence. The victim was unsure when the damage occurred. Incident reported on 4/6/26.
