Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda late Sunday afternoon, February 11, 2024, after someone reported being the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. At least one individual was accused of shoplifting in the same incident. The assault was reported at 5:21 PM Sunday. Violent crime has been dropping at the mall over the last year. 12 assaults were reported at the popular retail center in 2022, 5 were reported in 2023, and Sunday’s is the first reported in 2024.