Former Arkansas Police Chief and Convicted Killer Grant Hardin Recaptured After Nearly Two Weeks on the Run

Former Arkansas Police Chief and Convicted Killer Grant Hardin Recaptured After Nearly Two Weeks on the Run

Izard County, Arkansas — Grant Hardin, the former police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, who escaped from the Calico Rock North Central Unit prison on May 25 while serving a 30-year sentence for murder and additional 50 years for rape, has been recaptured by authorities after an extensive nearly two-week manhunt, officials announced Friday.

Hardin, 56, infamously known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” due to his violent crimes that inspired a 2023 documentary, was apprehended approximately 1.5 miles northwest of the prison near Moccasin Creek in Izard County. Law enforcement officers, assisted by the U.S. Border Patrol tactical unit BORTAC, used tracking dogs, drones, and helicopters to locate him in the rugged terrain of northern Arkansas. When officers approached, Hardin briefly attempted to flee but was quickly subdued, reportedly exhausted from his prolonged flight

Authorities confirmed Hardin’s identity through fingerprint analysis, and while he showed no immediate signs of injury, he is undergoing medical evaluation for dehydration and other potential health issues. During his capture, Hardin remained silent and did not resist further

Hardin’s escape was executed by impersonating a corrections officer. Court documents revealed he donned a makeshift law enforcement uniform and wheeled a cart loaded with wooden pallets through a secure gate, which was opened by a prison guard in an observation tower, allowing him to exit the facility unnoticed

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Serving time for the 2017 first-degree murder of James Appleton, a water department employee in Gateway, Hardin was also convicted of the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, Arkansas. His DNA was linked to the rape case after being entered into the state database following his murder conviction
. Hardin’s criminal history and law enforcement background complicated the search efforts, as noted by Arkansas Department of Corrections spokesperson Rand Champion

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The manhunt involved multiple agencies, including the Arkansas State Police, FBI, U.S. Marshals, and local law enforcement. A $25,000 reward was offered for information leading to Hardin’s capture. Authorities urged residents in the surrounding areas to remain vigilant and secure their homes and vehicles during the search

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Governor Sarah Sanders praised the collaborative law enforcement efforts in securing Hardin’s recapture, stating, “Arkansans can exhale in relief.” The governor also acknowledged the critical role played by the Border Patrol team in tracking the fugitive

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Hardin’s escape and subsequent capture have left the community of Gateway and surrounding areas shaken. Cheryl Tillman, sister of the murder victim James Appleton, described Hardin as “simply an evil, evil man,” expressing the community’s anxiety over his escape

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Investigators are preparing to interview Hardin to gain further insights into his escape and time on the run. The case continues to draw significant attention due to Hardin’s notorious past and the dramatic nature of his prison break and recapture

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This incident underscores ongoing concerns about prison security and the challenges posed by inmates with law enforcement experience. Authorities have pledged to review procedures to prevent similar escapes in the future.