Grant Hardin, a former police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, has escaped from prison, where he was serving time for murder and sexual assault. Authorities describe him as armed and dangerous, urging residents not to approach him as the search for his recapture continues across multiple law enforcement agencies.
Former Police Chief on the Run After Murder Conviction Escape
Former Police Chief on the Run After Murder Conviction Escape
The search intensifies for Grant Hardin, an ex-police chief convicted of murder and rape, after he escaped from an Arkansas prison.
The search continues for Grant Hardin, a former police chief convicted of murder and rape, who escaped from North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas, on Sunday afternoon. Hardin, 56, had been incarcerated in the facility since 2017 following his guilty plea to first-degree murder for fatally shooting James Appleton, a city water department worker, in 2017.
Hardin's escape marks a significant event in Arkansas, given the seriousness of his crimes and his history in law enforcement. He was described by authorities as being armed and dangerous. Witnesses reported seeing him leave the prison wearing a makeshift outfit resembling a law enforcement uniform. In light of his connections throughout the region, police urged the public to refrain from approaching him and to instead report any sightings to local law enforcement.
The former prosecutor who played a substantial role in securing Hardin's conviction characterized him as a "sociopath," distinctly setting him apart from other inmates who may have committed less severe crimes. Before becoming police chief for a brief period in Gateway, Hardin was implicated in a violent background, having previously served on the Eureka Springs Police Department where his tenure ended after resigning in the face of termination over falsifying a police report.
In addition to his murder conviction, Hardin later pleaded guilty to a 1997 rape case for which DNA evidence linked him to the crime. This background raises concerns about his potential motivations and future actions as he remains on the run.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Pea Ridge Police Department and other regional teams, are coordinating efforts to locate Hardin. This manhunt follows another unrelated escape incident involving multiple inmates from a prison in Louisiana, highlighting ongoing issues in prison security across the nation. The community is now on high alert as they await updates on the search for Hardin.
