Former Authorities in Arkansas are on high alert following the escape of a former police chief who was serving lengthy prison sentences for both murder and rape. The escapee, identified as Grant Hardin, broke out of the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on Sunday, triggering a multi-agency manhunt involving local, state, and federal law enforcement.
Former His prison terms stem from two separate, serious crimes: the 2017 shooting death of a city employee and a 1997 rape case that had remained unsolved for decades.
Former Escape from Custody
Former The Arkansas Department of Corrections confirmed that Hardin managed to escape custody over the weekend. Specific details regarding how he fled the medium-security facility have not been made public. However, authorities disclosed that he employed a disguise during his escape, reportedly dressing in an outfit made to resemble a law enforcement uniform. This may have helped him avoid detection during his departure from the prison grounds.
The Arkansas Division of Correction, along with the Division of Community Correction, has launched an extensive search operation. Officials are actively following leads and working in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement agencies in an effort to bring Hardin back into custody.
The 2017 Murder Case
Grant Hardin’s criminal record includes the first-degree murder of 59-year-old James Appleton. According to court documents, the incident occurred on February 23, 2017, near the town of Garfield. Hardin shot Appleton in the head, and his body was later discovered inside a vehicle by responding officers.
Hardin, who had served briefly as Gateway’s police chief in 2016, pleaded guilty to the crime in October 2017. He was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison for the killing. The motive for the murder has never been fully explained publicly, though the crime sent shockwaves through the small community of Gateway, where Hardin was once entrusted with upholding the law.
The 1997 Rape Case
In 1997, a woman was sexually assaulted in her home in Rogers, a city located north of Fayetteville. The victim, an elementary school teacher, was attacked in an incident that went unsolved for many years.
At the time of the assault, investigators collected DNA evidence from the crime scene, but no suspect could be identified. This allowed the case to remain legally active.
Years later, after Hardin had been convicted and imprisoned for Appleton’s murder, his DNA was collected and entered into a national database. This development provided the breakthrough investigators had been waiting for. Hardin was charged and later convicted of the 1997 rape, receiving a 50-year prison sentence on top of the 30 years he was already serving for murder.
Public Reaction and Concerns
The news of Hardin’s escape has stirred public concern, particularly in communities where he once held authority. Residents of Gateway and Rogers have expressed shock that a man once trusted as a law enforcement officer was capable of such violent acts—and is now back on the loose. The fact that he used a disguise to escape only intensifies fears, as it raises questions about whether he might attempt to blend in with law enforcement again.
Law enforcement officials have stressed the importance of public cooperation in locating Hardin. Authorities have not yet released details about whether he had outside help during his escape or what direction he may have headed. Given the severity of his crimes and his previous experience in law enforcement, he is considered a serious threat to public safety.
Search Efforts Underway
As of now, correctional officers and law enforcement agencies across the region are working tirelessly to locate Hardin. Roadblocks, aerial surveillance, and door-to-door inquiries are all part of the search effort. The Arkansas State Police have been assisting in the operation, and the U.S. Marshals have joined the manhunt, offering additional resources and expertise in tracking fugitives.
Officials have also reached out to neighboring states, alerting law enforcement agencies there to remain watchful for any signs of Hardin. He is described as a white male, in his mid-50s, with law enforcement experience and the ability to craft disguises.
A Fall from Grace
Once a trusted figure in Gateway’s small police department, his fall from grace has been steep. His case also highlights the power of forensic technology in solving cold cases, as DNA evidence from a decades-old crime ultimately played a pivotal role in holding him accountable.
But now, his escape puts the public at risk once again and raises urgent questions about prison security measures and how such an individual could evade custody.
Conclusion
With a past that includes murder and rape convictions, his sudden disappearance has placed law enforcement on high alert. Anyone with information about Hardin’s whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement immediately and avoid approaching him, as he is considered dangerous.
Until then, the focus remains on protecting the public and ensuring that a man once charged with upholding the law is no longer able to break it.