Grant Hardin, a former Arkansas police chief serving a 30-year sentence for murder and rape, escaped from prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas on Sunday afternoon. The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) confirmed that Hardin vanished from the prison within 30 minutes of the incident. According to ADC Communications Director Rand Champion, they have a good idea of the route he took and are fairly confident he remains in the immediate area. Officials have established a perimeter around Stone County, with the focus on tracking Hardin’s movements. The ADC is also aware of the risk that Hard, being a dangerous individual, might commit more crimes while on the run.
Hardin was previously known as the ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ due to his crimes. He was sentenced for the 2017 murder of James Appleton, a city water employee found shot in the face inside his work truck. His DNA, which was submitted for a database, was later linked to the 1997 rape of a teacher at Frank Tillery Elementary. The case was considered a cold case for over two decades. Officials confirmed that Hardin’s DNA matched the DNA linked to the rape suspect, leading to his guilty plea in 2019. Former prosecuting attorney Nathan Smith described Hardin as one of the most dangerous people he has encountered, stating that he is capable of seemingly random, horrific crimes.
While in prison, officials submitted his DNA for the database, which resulted in the discovery of his link to the cold case. The ADC has not found any signs that he has left the area, with officials emphasizing that it only takes one vehicle for him to travel elsewhere. Hardin is described as a 6′ white male, weighing approximately 259 pounds. The public has been advised to remain vigilant, given the potential danger he poses. The ADC has set up perimeter checks and continues the search for Hardin in the region, with the hope of apprehending him soon.
Fox News’ Stepheny Price and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.