— The Middlesex police chief was arrested Wednesday on assault charges.

Chief William D. Murray was arrested by the Nash County Sheriff’s Office and turned over to Franklin County Sheriff’s Office personnel.

Authorities said Murray was arrested after warrants were obtained by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend and communicating threats.

Murray was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female and misdemeanor communicating threats.

Murray was previously arrested, along with an administrative assistant, in February 2016 on charges of cyberstalking. In 2015, he was charged with communicating threats. Charges were eventually dropped in both cases.