Man facing charges for allegedly pulling gun on Eastpointe officers, fleeing

EASTPOINTE — A Detroit man who allegedly pulled a gun on officers before fleeing is facing six charges.

While working a special operation with Detroit police, Eastpointe police reportedly stopped a suspect on Gratiot Avenue north of Eight Mile Road for allegedly riding a four-wheeler recklessly.

According to a Facebook post by the Eastpointe Police Department, when officers approached the driver, they noticed what appeared to be a firearm in his shorts. As they attempted to restrain him, he reportedly fled.

An Eastpointe officer deployed his Taser and the driver, who police identified as Deaz Fitzgerald Titus Jr., 28, of Detroit, lost his balance and fell to the ground, the post said. He began to roll over and produced the weapon, pointing it at officers, police said.

A second officer also deployed his Taser; however, it yielded negative results, the post said. Officers took cover but did not use lethal force due to heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Titus fled on foot into a nearby residential area, police said. A perimeter was established, and a Detroit Police Department K-9 officer was dispatched. Within minutes, Titus was located hiding in a garage and arrested without incident, the post said.

Titus was arraigned June 16 in the 38th District Court in Eastpointe on charges of breaking and entering, weapons-firearms-possession by felon, weapons ammunition possession by felon, assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), weapons-carrying concealed, and assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer.

If found guilty on most charges, including assaulting or obstructing a police officer, Titus could face up to two years in prison. However, if found guilty of breaking and entering, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

At press time, Titus did not have an attorney listed. He is scheduled for a probable cause conference June 29 in front of District Court Judge Kathleen Galen.