During the early morning hours of Thursday, February 20, 2025, the Cleveland Police Department received multiple calls of someone shooting a firearm in the 700 Block of Earnest Carrington Sr. Avenue.
At 1:56 a.m., Cleveland Police Officers observed Desmond Deandra Cruse standing near the roadway of the 700 block of Earnest Carrington Sr. Avenue holding an AK-47-style rifle. Officers were aware Mr. Cruse had an active warrant for his arrest for Aggravated Assault due to his pointing a rifle at a citizen the prior day. Upon observing Officers, Mr. Cruse ran into his residence, which is located on the same block where gunshots were reported.
Officers surrounded the residence and could not contact Mr. Cruse, who was held up in his residence. Due to Mr. Cruse being armed with a rifle and also having received numerous reports of shots fired in the area, the Montgomery County SWAT Team was contacted to assist with arresting Mr. Cruse.
At 10:31 a.m., Montgomery County SWAT members apprehended Mr. Cruse in front of his residence without incident. Cleveland Police Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence from Liberty County 253rd District Judge Chap Cain. Investigators executed the Search Warrant at the residence and located two rifles and one handgun. Investigators also located approximately 13 pounds of marihuana that was packaged for distribution in a bedroom located in the residence.
We are thankful that no one was injured and that Mr. Cruse was arrested without incident. However, Mr. Cruse’s total disregard for our citizens’ and officers’ safety is alarming. We are hopeful that all considerations of Mr. Cruse’s dangerous actions will be weighed during his court proceedings.
Cleveland PD Investigators’ swift actions led to an arrest warrant within hours of the citizens reporting Mr. Cruse’s dangerous actions, which assisted our efforts in making this arrest.
The City of Cleveland has annexed property in Montgomery County, strengthening our relationship with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Wesley Doolittle worked as a DPS Trooper and Texas Ranger in both Liberty and Montgomery Counties for 20-plus years. We have a longstanding relationship with Sheriff Doolittle and have counted on him for assistance throughout the years. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s SWAT Team and Lieutenant L.T. Goldsby have been an ally to our department regarding training and assistance. This team effort led to a peaceful outcome in a high-risk situation. Liberty County Pct. 6 Constables, Cleveland Fire Department, and Allegiance EMS also assisted in this operation.
