14-02-2025
MPD: Officers find chop shop, guns, drugs at Raleigh home
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Raleigh man is facing 49 criminal counts after police say they found a chop shop, drugs, and guns at his home.
Raphael Thorton, 33, was booked in the Shelby County Jail on charges of theft, vandalism, violation of the chop shop law, possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, and firearms.
On Wednesday, members of the MPD Auto Theft Task Force assisted Memphis Code Enforcement with a complaint about several inoperable vehicles parked at a residence in the 1300 block of Parkland Road.
Police said when they arrived, they found a stolen 'chopped' 2016 Dodge Charger behind the house and a stolen 2015 white Dodge Charger in the driveway. They said multiple vehicle parts from the 2016 charger had been affixed to the 2015 charger.
Thursday, several vehicles were still parked in the driveway and in front of the house. Some car parts and an automobile without doors were also visible in the backyard.
A neighbor, who did not want to be identified, said he saw lots of police at the house but had no idea what was going on.
'They had a lot of wreckers, about three wreckers,' he said. ' They pulled a lot of cars out of the driveway, but they ended up putting them back in the driveway.'
ATTF detectives seized 11 weapons from the residence, including an AK-47 and a handgun with an illegal Glock switch. Police said they also confiscated loose marijuana, marijuana cigars, THC-infused edibles, a mushroom-like substance, and a street drug called 'lean.'
Detectives said they located a large marijuana plant drying, along with a growth tent, lights, chemicals, and fertilizer used to manufacture marijuana.
Thorton allegedly told officers the drugs were for his personal use. Police said Thorton also claimed he bought the 2016 white Dodge Charger from someone off the street for the windshield only and had no idea it was stolen.
The Charger was reported stolen the day before Christmas and was worth about $28,000.
Thorton is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
