Sweating Leads to Arrest

Kevin Michael Babson (CCSO)

A wanted man was picked up outside the Nakina Dollar General store Tuesday after he was seen “Acting erratically and sweating profusely”.

Kevin Michael Babson of Ash had good reason to be sweating, and it wasn’t just the heat: the sheriff’s office reports that he was wanted and was in possession of narcotics.

Babson, 31, was arrested for felony probation violations, larceny by emplo0yee, failure to appear, driving while license revoked, giving false information, drug paraphernalia, and possession of heroin and methamphetamine. He was held under $25,500 secured bond. His address was listed as 2245 Whiteville Road NW., Ash.

The store manager of at the Dollar General at 16015 Swamp Fox Highway East called 911 around 9:30 p.m. to report a suspicious man in the parking lot. Babson was described as wearing a UNC baseball cap and a gray T-shirt, and was “Sweating profusely and acting erratically,” the report said.

“Concerned due to past break-ins and the store’s imminent closing, she alerted authorities,” the report said.

Babson was found near the intersection of N.C. 904 and N.C. 905. He told deputies he had run out of fuel and was walking home to Brunswick County. A records check showed he had five outstanding warrants from Whiteville Police and Probation and Parole, the report said.

The report said that Babson told deputies he had a prescription bottle containing heroin, meth and  Gabapentin in one pocket. Deputies also found Ritalin, materials believed to be meth and crack cocaine, and a bag with white residue suspected to be cocaine.

The warrants for driving while license revoked and providing false information were drawn by Whiteville Police, the report said.

About Jefferson Weaver 2318 Articles
Jefferson Weaver is the Managing Editor of Columbus County News and he can be reached at (910) 914-6056, (910) 632-4965, or by email at jeffersonweaver@ColumbusCountyNews.com.