Escape of Former Police Chief in Arkansas Continues to Spark Manhunt
The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) updated the public on Tuesday with new images of Grant Hardin, a former police chief who escaped from custody on May 25, prompting extensive searches around the Ozarks.
At 56 years old, Hardin had been serving time at the North Central Unit, a maximum-security facility. He is infamously known as “The Devil of the Ozarks,” having been convicted of murder and rape, which led to decades behind bars.
The ongoing hunt for Hardin remains focused in North Central Arkansas, with authorities actively pursuing any tips that come in. Over a week into the search, the ADC shared an updated headshot, hoping to depict his current appearance.
The FBI and U.S. Marshals have offered a $25,000 reward for anyone providing information leading to Hardin’s arrest. They encourage individuals with any details to reach out to 1-800-Call-FBI or submit information online.
Hardin’s escape poses unique challenges for searchers, and experts have noted that he has connections throughout Garfield, Eureka Springs, Holiday Island, and Huntsville, amplifying concerns.
It took under half an hour for prison officials to realize Hardin was missing. A social media post from the Stone County Sheriff’s Office showed him in what appeared to be an ADC-style uniform during his escape, but officials clarified that the attire was not official prison clothing.
Authorities believe they have a reasonable idea of Hardin’s escape route and his potential whereabouts. However, they warned that he should be considered dangerous—there’s concern he might commit additional crimes while on the run.
Hardin’s past includes a 30-year sentence following a guilty plea for the murder of 59-year-old James Appleton, a city water worker shot in his vehicle. His DNA was linked to a cold case involving a teacher’s rape back in 1997 after he was incarcerated.
Interestingly, his escape coincided with the recent flight of ten inmates from a correctional facility in New Orleans, adding to the unusual circumstances surrounding his situation.
Hardin is described as a 6-foot tall white male, weighing approximately 259 pounds. The search continues amid rising tensions and heightened alerts throughout the region.
