A Capron, Virginia, man has been arrested on a count of indecent liberties with a minor and four counts of assault on a child under 12.

Captain M.D. DeLoatch Sr. of the Northampton County Sheriff's Office said the assault charges filed against Robert Burton Gay Sr., 47, reflect he allegedly hit the child as well as dragged the child around by the ears.

Deloatch described Gay as the live-in boyfriend of the child's mother.

The charges, he said in a statement, stem from a matter which occurred on July 25.

Gay was arrested Monday and jailed on $21,000 secured bond. He awaits a September 3 court date.

“The Northampton County Sheriff’s office will continue to investigate all crimes and complaints especially when our children are involved,” Sheriff Jack Smith said in the statement. “We as parents and grandparents should always be watchful and protective of our loved ones. The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office will always work closely with the Department of Social Services and all other agencies to ensure those who prey upon our children are brought before our judicial system to answer to the charges for their behavior.”

In another matter DeLoatch reported:

The August 28 arrest of Stefone Dennis Sidney Powell, 18 ,of Garysburg, and the arrest today of Dequan Xyree Johnson-Butler, 20, of Roanoke Rapids, who are allegedly tied to break-ins in the Pleasant Hill area.

The pair face two counts of felony breaking and entering, two of counts felony larceny, one count of felony attempted larceny and conspiracy to break and enter with the intent to commit a felony.

The charges stem from break-ins in the Pleasant Hill area on July 25.

Powell was placed in the Northampton County Detention with a $14,000 secured bond and Johnson-Butler on $12,000 secured bond. They both await September 3 court dates.

The crimes involved a residence off Big John Store Road in which jewelry, electronics, coins and clothes were stolen.

“I would like to commend Detective Sergeant Patrick Jacobs for an outstanding job on this case,” Smith said. “Through his diligent effort he brought all that were responsible to justice. The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office will to work hard to solve break-ins and other crimes in the county.”