Witnesses reported that a suspicious female, later identified as 43 year-old Melody Babcock of 9089 School St., Rocky Mount, entered the store and meandered briefly before approaching the checkout counter. She then passed the clerk a handwritten note stating that this was a hold-up. The clerk asked Babcock if the note was legitimate. Babcock allegedly said, "Yes, don't make no sudden moves I have a gun." The clerk passed the note to another clerk telling Babcok that she didn't know how to open the safe. The second clerk gave the note to the manager who called police. Babcock then fled the scene on foot without any money towards the nearby U.S. Cellular business.
Arriving near the scene, Winterville Police Sgt. Donald Cook was alerted by U.S. Cellular employees that the suspect had fled into the bathroom of their business. Upon investigation, Sgt. Cook located the suspect hiding behind a dumpster at the rear of the building. Babcock then fled on foot into a nearby field and construction site. Mr. Paul Hatfield, a bystander who happened to be a Winterville Police auxiliary, observed the chase and blocked Babcock's escape with his own vehicle leading to her apprehension.
As Babcock was being returned to the crime scene by officers she began shouting towards a nearby man crossing NC 11 towards the Sam's Club parking lot. Det. Crowley, Pitt County Sheriff's Office, made contact with the man, later identified as 39 year-old Michael Babcock of 1647 Kalib St., Greenville, who was found with the suspect's purse that contained recently used drug paraphernalia and drug residue. He alleged he had no involvement with the robbery attempt.
Both Babcocks are being charged with possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia. Melody Babcock is being charged with armed robbery and Michael Babcock is being charged with aiding and abetting a felony.
UPDATE: The magistrate jailed Melody Babcock for attempted armed robbery in lieu of armed robbery. Bond for both Babcocks was set at $11,000.
Also, no weapons were located on either subject. The subjects are married.
