A convicted felon who stole a shotgun and a pickup and fired the weapon when officers converged was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday by Judge Bart Stanley.

Cauley McClinton Cross, 46, entered guilty pleas in Circuit Court to aggravated burglary, theft of property over $10,000 and violation of community supervision.

The incident which led to his arrest occurred in January 2018 when Cross kicked in the door of Teddy Alley’s residence on Bethany Road and began stealing items, including a 2015 Toyota pickup. Deputies searched the area and found the pickup in a nursery field and started looking for a suspect. 

A shot was fired from the wood line, causing deputies to take cover. They arrested Cross without further incident.

According to Assistant District Attorney Tom Miner, Cross reportedly claimed a man had held a gun to his head, making him take the truck and shoot the gun into the air. He then began to tell officers that voices in his head told him to break into Mr. Alley’s house, grab the shotgun and hide in the woods. His stories continued to change, according to law enforcement.

Cross was charged with aggravated burglary, two counts of theft, theft over $10,000, evading arrest, evading arrest with risk of injury due to the vehicle, unlawful possession of a weapon for being a felon, employing a firearm, seven counts of violation of community supervision with a criminal offense, and community supervision violation. 

All but three charges were dismissed due to his plea agreement. He also must return the stolen property to Mr. Alley.