[R. Scott]

As they left the restaurant, five men approached them and asked for a cigarette.

This has been a common ploy for many years – make that decades - to distract the victim. When it is tried on me and I am with someone we immediately split and flank the mugger(s). If I am alone my hand goes near my right hip.
In every instance the bad guys decided they didn’t really want a cigarette. Too bad such things are no longer (unofficially) taught in Basic Training.

[radiohead]

This has been a common ploy for many years – make that decades - to distract the victim

Yep. I did 10 years in Philly and even tho I've lived in much safer places since then, my radar goes up when someone asks me for the time or some other such thing. I don't lose eye contact with them until I've stepped away a bit. It probably seems strange, but you can't trust anyone.

I'm surprised this happened in Bethesda. I know the area well and it hasn't been known for crime, but with Metro access, maybe the criminals are importing themselves from other parts of the area. Looks like there's pond scum wherever you go, huh?