Escaped killer and former police chief captured 1.5 miles from Arkansas prison
Authorities have captured convicted killer and former police chief Grant Hardin after he escaped a jail in Arkansas nearly two weeks ago, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. State law enforcement officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents located Hardin and took him back into custody Friday afternoon, June 6.
Authorities found Hardin near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, Arkansas, approximately 1.5 miles west of the North Central Unit — the medium-security prison from which he had escaped. According to officials, tracking dogs detected a scent in the vicinity, leading to Hardin’s apprehension shortly thereafter.
Hardin’s capture ends a nearly two-week manhunt by local, state and federal agencies.
“I’m incredibly appreciative to all of our dedicated law enforcement agencies that spent countless hours, both day and night, sacrificing their time, utilizing their resources and lending their invaluable expertise to this search,” Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace said in a statement. “To every one of our department staff that assisted in this manhunt over the last 13 days, I give my heartfelt thank you for your immeasurable contributions to bring this search to a peaceful conclusion.”
Details of the escape
Investigators said Hardin escaped the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas, on Sunday, May 25. At the time of his escape, he was wearing a disguise resembling a law enforcement uniform.
Authorities believe Hardin escaped the prison by pushing a cart through a secure area while wearing a fake uniform that convinced a guard to let him leave.
Hardin’s criminal history
In 2017, Hardin admitted to the murder of James Appleton, an employee of the City of Gateway’s water department and brother-in-law of then-Mayor Andrew Tillman. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the offense. Additionally, Hardin was convicted in a separate case of the 1997 rape of Amy Harrison, a local schoolteacher. That case had remained unsolved for two decades until DNA evidence led to his identification. He received a 50-year sentence for the sexual assault.
HBO Max featured Hardin’s crimes in a documentary titled “Devil in the Ozarks.”
Authorities say Hardin served as the police chief of the town of Gateway, Arkansas, for about four months in early 2016. Prosecutors have formally charged Hardin with second-degree escape. Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine all the circumstances surrounding his escape.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
