SANDY SPRING, Md. (WUSA9) -- A recently revealed email chain between regional and state land use officials at the highest levels is being criticized by a Montgomery County Councilmember as "totally inappropriate."

"He went over the head of people who had made professional opinions and went to somebody at the highest level and said 'fix this for me'", said Councilmember Marc Elrich.

"That's not something you do in public.  That's backroom," he said.

READ THE EMAILS HERE

Elrich made his comments after reviewing newly revealed 2007 emails between the office of Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission general counsel Adrian Gardner and Richard Hall, the O'Malley administration's cabinet secretary in charge of the Maryland Department of Planning.

SILVER SPRING, Md. (WUSA9) -- Downtown Silver Spring officials say they suspended towing and initiated a still evolving signage change the moment a WUSA9 hidden camera investigation exposed an illegal towing operation there.

If you've been towed from a Downtown Silver Spring meter, contact Investigative Reporter Russ Ptacek by WUSA9 email, on Twitter or Facebook.

Near the intersection of Georgia Ave. and Colesville Rd. on a private road, the shopping center had been towing cars parked at private parking meters, but signs weren't large enough or clear enough to comply with county and Maryland regulations.

Bethesda, Md. (WUSA9) -- An armed bank robbery in Montgomery County is still being investigated and with no new leads, detectives are turning to the public.

Police say a suspect wearing a "dark blue jacket, a light green button up, gloves and a Halloween mask" robbed M&T bank off of Seven Locks Road on December 22, 2012 in the early morning," police said in the news release. 

The suspect walked into the bank, intimidated the teller with a small black handgun and left with an "undisclosed amount of cash," police said.

The robber is described as an "unknown race male, over 6'0'' tall, with a medium build." Investigators are urging anyone who may have tips about this incident to come forward and contact the Robbery Section at 240-773-5100, police said.