WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The inmate who escaped from the New Hanover County Correctional Center on 23rd Street is back behind bars. Sheriffs Office Vice and Narcotics Unit along with Sheriff’s Office Gang Task Force arrested Steven Singleton today at 323 Bordeaux Street. Singleton escaped from the state prison last Wednesday and was located today on Adams Street where he ran off, but was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office.

At bed check last Wednesday around 4:00 a.m., inmate Stephen Singleton was exactly where he was supposed to be. But then around 5:00 a.m. he was missing. Investigators said they believe he scaled a fence to escape.

- Advertisement -

Earlier today, we spoke with officials about the escape, when Singleton was still missing.

“We are continuing to follow leads and tips that come to us from people in the public. Some of those came in over the weekend from some folks that claimed to have seen Singleton somewhere in the Wilmington area,” said Keith Acree with the Department of Public Safety.

So far, Acree said they have not had any luck but they do still believe Singleton is in the Wilmington area.

Singleton is one of five inmates who have escaped from prisons across the state this year.

“Most of the inmates that escape from our minimum security facilities, you know we get back within a day or two. He’s been several days now. This is certainly longer than the average, longer than usual,” Acree said.

Acree said the longer someone is gone, the colder the trail gets. He said they are hoping to have Singleton back in custody as quickly as possible.

Folks at one local business said they were never notified of Singleton’s escape, even though their business backs up to Division Drive where the prison is located.

Although they did not want to do an on-camera interview, they told WWAY they were not afraid of Singleton, but they do wish there was some sort of protocol to notify people in the area of the prison of an escape.