A 31-year-old man has been charged in a breaking and entering that occurred around the first of the month and resulted in various construction tools being pawned.

Sergeant J. Jenkins of the Northampton County Sheriff's Office arrested Lionel Maurice Martin and charged him with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering and misdemeanor possession of stolen property.

Captain M.D. DeLoatch Sr. said Martin broke into J.D. Miller Construction in the Severn area and stole items such as a power saw, air compressors and tools.

Investigation by Jenkins determined some of the items were pawned in Roanoke Rapids. The pawned items were returned, DeLoatch said.

Martin fled when being served warrants last week but was caught after a short foot chase.

He was jailed on $20,000 secured bond and assigned an April 9 court date.

“The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office is working hard very hard to solve all breaking and entering cases, as well as all other crimes in the county,” Sheriff Jacks Smith said in a statement. “We encourage all citizens to report any and all suspicious activities to law enforcement so it may be looked into as soon as possible. I would like to thank the citizens for all they do to assist us.”