A Bethany man faces felony assault charges after he allegedly opened fire at deputies as they were looking to arrest him after a burglary.

The suspect, Cauley McClinton Cross, 45, is charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement, theft over $10,000, aggravated burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon, and driving on a revoked license.

Officers went to a location on Bethany Road after a resident there said someone had kicked in his door and taken a 2015 Toyota pickup. The victim told lawmen Cross lived in an office nearby, suggesting Cross may have been the one who took his truck. Officers found a laundry basket containing Cross’ laundry along with a gun that had been taken from the victim’s home lying in the driveway.

Deputies searched the area and found a truck matching the one that had been stolen in a nursery field and started looking for a suspect.

“As we were searching, a shot was fired from the wood line,” said deputy Lynn Cannon, noting they took cover and were able to locate Cross, taking him into custody without further incident. “He admitted he had kicked in the door and took the truck and gun.”

Cannon added Cross is a convicted felon who is not allowed to have a firearm. It was not revealed if Cross was intentionally shooting at the deputies. However, the mere fact they were placed in fear by gunfire allows him to be charged for aggravated assault.