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Escaped Chowan County Inmate Caught After Homeowner Finds Him Hiding in Her Car

A calm response from the homeowner aided a quick arrest.

Overview

  • Marie Steinburg, 75, discovered 23-year-old escapee Charles Edward Babb in the back seat of her car in Edenton on Monday morning.
  • Police had warned that Babb was considered potentially armed and dangerous following his Sunday night escape from the Chowan County Detention Center.
  • Steinburg spoke calmly to de-escalate the situation and called 911, and Edenton police apprehended Babb minutes later a few houses away with no injuries reported.
  • Only Babb’s shoes were left in the vehicle, and the Steinburgs say a blanket he likely took from a room over their garage appeared to have been used for warmth.
  • The sheriff’s office said Babb forced his way out of jail with a small hand-held edged weapon, and court records list charges including felony escape, breaking and entering, larceny, and possession of stolen property.