Published: June 30, 2009 11:42 pm      

SWAT called to domestic disturbance

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

Rusk police and Cherokee County SWAT team members spent an hour Monday evening trying to talk an armed resident out of his house before finally employing tear gas to force him out.

Rusk police officer Jason Mott responded to a call at 5:59 p.m. Monday, concerning the possiblity of an alleged drunk driver attempting to leave a residence in the 200 block of East Hill Street. When he arrived, Mott was met at the front entrance of the home by the 60-year-old female who lived at the address with her common-law husband, Joseph Daniel Crenshaw, 56.

Police reports indicate the woman told Mott her husband was “extremely intoxicated” and had assaulted her. She also informed the officer Crenshaw was hiding in a bedroom, armed with a loaded shotgun and was threatening to kill her and the police.

After securing the female victim and the scene, Mott called for backup and his supervisors, who responded and requested the Cherokee County SWAT team and its negoitator for assistance in removing the barricaded Crenshaw from the house.

Officials report numerous attempts to contact Crenshaw were made troughout the next hour by telephone and over a loud speaker. Officers repeatedly attempted to convince the suspect to exit the house and surrender peacefully, with no response.

Finally, SWAT team members fired tear gas into the residence at which point Crenshaw came to the front door and surrendered. Crenshaw was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assualt/family violence and terrorist threat/family violence. He was also arrested on two outstanding warrants for motion to adudicate-aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and failure to appear.

“The Rusk Police Department would like to thank Sheriff (James) Campbell and his SWAT team for a swift response to this situation,” Rusk Assistant Police Chief Roy Cavazoz said in a release provided to the Daily Progress. “Their assistance was essential in allowing the suspect to be taken into custody with no injuries. Sheriff Campbell has a great team.”

Crenshaw was arraigned and remained in the Cherokee County Jail as of Tuesday. His bonds total $4,000.

Bullard man back in jail

A Bullard man suspected of shooting and killing a Lindale man earlier this is year has been arrested again.

According to reports from the Cherokee County District Attorney’s officer a motion to revoke bond was filed last week. Cherokee County law enforcement officials booked Christopher Lee McLemore, 31 of Bullard, back into the Cherokee County Jail, where he remained Tuesday.

McLemore is charged with the murder of Charles Hall, 35 of Lindale, in April after a fight allegedly occurred between the two outside the home of Hall’s brother on Byron Court in the Lakewood East subdivision near Lake Palestine.

Police reports indicate McLemore allegedly fired a gun, hitting Hall in the abdomen. Hall was transported to East Texas Medical Center-Jacksonville and was pronounced dead on arrival.