Sixth YBC member arrested and charged with two murders.

A significant development in Philadelphia’s ongoing battle against gang violence has emerged with the recent arrest of Hamzah Curry, a 25-year-old member of the Young Bag Chasers (YBC) gang. Curry was apprehended on Wednesday evening in Kansas City, Missouri, after evading law enforcement for almost a year. He is now facing charges in connection with two separate homicide cases, including the 2021 killing of a 36-year-old man.

Curry’s arrest has been confirmed by prosecutors, who noted that he is implicated in the murder of Qaadir Cheeks, a 20-year-old often referred to as “55Qua.” Cheeks was fatally shot in May 2024 near 55th Street and Baltimore Avenue. Bill Fritze, Assistant District Attorney and supervisor of the Gun Violence Task Force, stated that Curry is among 19 individuals recently indicted by a grand jury amidst an extensive investigation by Philadelphia police into ongoing retaliatory shootings among West Philadelphia gangs.

Curry, a member of the Young Face Arrangers (YFA), a faction of YBC, is related to another gang member, Arshad Curry. The latter is currently serving a 42.5 to 85-year prison sentence for involvement in three homicides in 2021. Reports indicate that a warrant for Hamzah Curry’s arrest was issued last spring following his alleged connection to the murder of Stangely Bertrand, who was shot in the head on July 16, 2021. Law enforcement sources reveal that Bertrand was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.

Salahuddin Carter, another member of YBC/YFA known as “YFA4our,” was charged with Bertrand’s murder in June. In a recent indictment, Carter was also linked to additional shootings, including that of an 8-year-old child in 2022.

The authorities were able to link Curry and Carter to Bertrand’s murder, particularly after Curry drove Carter, who had been shot, to the hospital. Inside Curry’s vehicle, law enforcement discovered two 9mm handguns, latex gloves, and live ammunition. Ballistics reports later confirmed that these firearms were discharged during the incident in which Bertrand was killed.

In addition to the charges related to Bertrand’s murder, this month also saw the issuance of a warrant for Curry concerning Cheeks’ murder, where he and other YBC affiliates reportedly shot Cheeks over a dozen times in West Philadelphia. Four other suspects have also been charged in connection with this case.

The Philadelphia Police Department’s homicide fugitive task force, in conjunction with U.S. Marshals, had actively sought Curry since last year, ultimately locating him in a motel in Missouri. His extradition back to Philadelphia is anticipated, where he will face serious charges related to his alleged criminal activities.

This arrest underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat gang-related violence in the region, as prosecutors continue to pursue justice for victims of these tragic incidents.