On January 28, 2026, at approximately 2214 hours, Brainerd officers were dispatched to a residence on South 6th Street, Brainerd, Crow Wing County, Minnesota, for a report of a domestic assault. Dispatch advised that they had received a third-party report (reporters identified in police reports) that there was a domestic disturbance and that a male may have been stabbed. Officer Gleason responded and arrived on scene with several Brainerd officers. Officers entered the building and preceded to the upstairs unit where the incident had taken place.
As Gleason was ascending the stairs, he saw a female emerge from the apartment. The female was identified as Ariana Marie Cruz, the Defendant herein [DOB REDACTED]. Gleason spoke to the Defendant in the stairwell. The Defendant told Gleason that she and her fiancé, JS (fully identified in police reports), were arguing because JS wouldn't let her take her vehicle. The Defendant stated that she wanted to leave and go to her mother's residence in St. Paul for the night, but JS was keeping the keys in his pocket (officers observed that the Defendant and JS smelled of alcohol). The Defendant stated that nothing else happened.
Gleason asked the Defendant about the reports of a stabbing. The Defendant then stated there was a knife, but no one was hurt with it. The Defendant stated she used the knife as "intimidation" to try to get the keys. A short time later, the Defendant stated she actually had the knife to use on herself. The Defendant stated that JS grabbed her wrist to try to get the knife away from her. The Defendant stated she turned her wrist and that was when JS was cut with the knife. Meanwhile, Officer Johnson spoke to JS. JS reported that he and the Defendant had an argument.
JS stated at one point, the Defendant shoved him to the ground. They got up and continued to argue, moving towards the kitchen. JS stated that the Defendant retrieved a kitchen knife, raised it above her head, and brandished it towards JS. JS stated he grabbed the Defendant's wrist to disarm her and that was when he was cut. JS told officers where the knife was. Officers retrieved the knife and took photos of JS's injuries. In addition to the cut, officers observed JS had scratch near his right eye, and JS's shirt was ripped.
The Defendant was placed under arrest and transported to the Crow Wing County Jail.
