Former Arkansas Police Chief Escapes Prison After Rape and Murder Convictions

A massive manhunt is underway in Arkansas after convicted murderer and rapist, Grant Hardin, escaped from a state correctional facility on May 25th. Hardin, a former police chief, vanished from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, located near the Missouri border.

Authorities believe the 56-year-old inmate orchestrated a cunning escape, donning a makeshift uniform resembling that of a corrections officer. He was reportedly missing for only about 20 minutes before being discovered absent.

Law enforcement is urging the public to exercise extreme caution, describing Hardin as "extremely dangerous." His past experience in law enforcement adds another layer of concern to the ongoing search.

Hardin was serving a lengthy prison sentence for the 2017 murder of James Appleton, along with a separate 25-year sentence for a 1997 rape. The murder case involved a drive-by shooting, while DNA evidence ultimately linked Hardin to the decades-old rape case.

Before his convictions, Hardin held positions at various Arkansas police departments, including Fayetteville, Eureka Springs, and ultimately, Gateway, where he served as police chief for a brief period in 2016. His tenure in law enforcement was marked by controversy, including allegations of excessive force and poor decision-making.

The search for Hardin is a multi-agency effort, involving the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Arkansas State Police, and local law enforcement. K-9 units are actively participating in the search, focusing on the area surrounding the prison. Recent heavy rains have hampered search efforts, but authorities remain optimistic that improved weather conditions will aid in the pursuit.