By Miles Layton
As Paul Harvey used to say, “Now for the rest of the story…”
As we all know, Charles Edward Babb, 23, of Elizabeth City, was apprehended Monday morning after escaping Sunday evening from the Chowan County Detention Facility, according to county officials.
However, here’s the rest of the story — Monday morning around 7:30 a.m. or so, Bob Steinburg’s wife, Marie, made a discovery: there was a guy dressed in an orange jumpsuit sleeping in her Honda Civic that was parked outside the couple’s home on South Granville Street in Edenton. Yes, you read that name right, that Steinburg, a former NC Senator, a conservative firebrand who was the boogie man to the left. He even met President Trump once in the White House with a group of NC lawmakers.
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Anyway, Steinburg said when his wife opened her car’s door, the man was startled as he woke up – he was wearing a blanket to keep warm. Steinburg said Babb and his wife talked briefly – apparently, he was very polite. He asked for some food, perhaps a breakfast meal from McDonald’s — they do make a good breakfast.
Marie, recognizing that the man was the escaped inmate, kept her cool. She told the man that she would get him something to eat – she went inside the house and called 911.
Babb didn’t wait around but quickly left the scene. However, he was apprehended moments later nearby on West Queen Street by law enforcement, Steinburg said.
And here’s a twist – Steinburg said Babb’s shoes, or rather flip-flops that he was issued by the detention center — he left them behind in Marie’s car as he was leaving the scene. Those flip-flops are on Steinburg’s porch — a memento of what happened and perhaps a reminder to him and all of us – always lock your car’s doors.
Last note, since I know the mainstream media is too lazy to do any reporting, if you’re going to steal this story, at least attribute it to the Albemarle Observer.
7 responses to “The Unexpected Encounter: Ex-Senator Steinburg’s Wife Finds Escaped Inmate”
Thanks giving us the whole story
Brava Mrs. Steinburg! You are the epitome of Southern Hospitality! (I bet he heard you are a good cook too!). I am relieved that no one was hurt and that the community is safe. Merry Christmas!
This is epic…great writing 🙂
Krista, thanks! — Miles
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