WM Police raid home in an effort to combat gang violence

Illegal weapons linked to local gang seized in operation

By DONALD WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

Detectives with the West Memphis Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division have been say they have been working tirelessly to combat the rise of gang violence in the area. Their investigations into a local gang known as Only The Raq (OTR) have uncovered a string of vehicle breakins, thefts, and shootings.

On Thursday, August 29th, 2024, a signi_cant breakthrough was made in the case when detectives, along with patrol of_cers of the West Memphis Police Department executed a search warrant at 2706 East Thompson Avenue as part of an investigation into 18 year old Jabrone Hamilton. Hamilton is a suspected member of the OTR gang who was arrested earlier in the month on Aug 20.

During the search of the residence, detectives found an American Tactical assault rie, which had been reported stolen in a vehicle breakin earlier in the month as well as an illegally modi_ed sawn off shotgun was also found in the residence..

Jabrone Hamilton continues to be held at the Crittenden County Detention Center. He is facing multiple charges of Breaking or Enterin, Theft of Property and Credit Card Theft. His bail has been set at $30,000.

The name “Raq” used by the gang OTR is believed to be a reference to Chicago, a city notorious for its high rates of violence and crime and is a play on words of the Middle Eastern city of Iraq. The term “Chi-raq” is often used by popular rappers such as Lil Durk, King Von, and G Herbo to describe the dangerous environment in Chicago.

The West Memphis Police Department is urging anyone with information related to gang activity or criminal behavior to come forward. The Criminal Investigation Division can be reached at 870-732-7554, while anonymous tips can be submitted to Crittenden County Crime Stoppers at 870-732-4444. Informants may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 if their tip leads to an arrest.

West Memphis detectives raided a home last week and found stolen and illegal weapons.

Photo provided by WMPD

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