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Capture of Escaped Convict Grant Hardin, Dubbed ‘Devil in the Ozarks’

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — After an extensive manhunt lasting nearly two weeks, authorities announced on Friday the capture of former police chief and convicted murderer Grant Hardin, known as the “Devil in the Ozarks.” Hardin was found 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) northwest of the northern Arkansas prison he had escaped from.

Grant Hardin, once the police chief in Gateway, a small town near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was serving long-term sentences for murder and rape. His criminal history later became the subject of a TV documentary, “Devil in the Ozarks.” As officers approached, Hardin made a brief attempt to flee but was swiftly apprehended, according to Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the Arkansas prison system. “After being on the run for a week and a half, he was likely exhausted,” Champion noted.

The Izard County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Hardin’s identity through fingerprint analysis in a Facebook post. Although there were no signs of injury, Hardin will undergo checks for dehydration and other potential health issues.

Investigators are eager to question Hardin, Champion stated, having captured a photo of him being escorted by officers using his cellphone. During his capture, Hardin remained silent. Since 2017, Hardin has been incarcerated at the Calico Rock prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder for a fatal shooting. His escape was facilitated by disguising himself as a corrections officer, allowing him to exit through a secure gate, as per court documents. Champion criticized the failure to verify Hardin’s identity as a “lapse” currently under investigation.

Since Hardin’s escape on May 25, search efforts have included bloodhounds, horseback officers, drones, and helicopters. Recently, a specialized U.S. Border Patrol team joined the search, federal officials revealed. Known as BORTAC, the team provided “advanced search capabilities and operational support,” and is skilled in complex terrains, the agency explained. The rocky and forested Ozark Mountains, with their intricate cave networks, posed significant challenges.

In 2017, Hardin admitted to the first-degree murder of James Appleton, 59, who worked for the Gateway water department and was shot in the head on February 23, 2017, near Garfield. Appleton’s body was discovered in a car, leading to Hardin’s 30-year prison sentence. Additionally, Hardin’s DNA linked him to a 1997 rape case involving an elementary school teacher in Rogers, north of Fayetteville, resulting in a 50-year sentence.

Cheryl Tillman, Appleton’s sister and mayor of Gateway, learned of Hardin’s capture while at a flea market in Ozark, Missouri, with her family. She expressed relief at the news, describing it as a “big sigh of relief” for her family. “We can now live without constantly looking over our shoulders,” Tillman said, grateful to the officers involved in Hardin’s capture.

Fugitive Ex-Arkansas Police Chief Eludes Capture After Prison Break

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Authorities are continuing their search for Grant Hardin, a former Arkansas police chief convicted of rape and murder, following his escape from prison over the weekend. The 56-year-old remains at large as the manhunt progresses into its fourth day, Thursday, May 29. New information has surfaced about the ease with which Hardin left the facility unnoticed.

According to reports from Straight Arrow News, Hardin, who was serving time for both a murder and a separate rape and kidnapping conviction, managed to exit the North Central Unit prison in Calico, Arkansas, by donning a law enforcement outfit. The precise method by which he evaded detection was not previously known, but ABC News has revealed that the disguise was convincing enough for a guard to open a secure gate, facilitating his escape.

Officials are uncertain about the origin of the uniform, suggesting it was either “handmade or smuggled in.” Surveillance footage captured Hardin pushing an industrial cart, which he abandoned outside the prison after his breakout. Authorities are probing whether his duties in the prison kitchen played a role in his escape plan.

In the United States, roughly 2,000 jailbreaks occur annually, predominantly at minimum-security facilities, with few incidents at higher-security prisons. Many escapes are linked to staffing shortages.

Investigators suspect Hardin remains in the vicinity and are offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to his capture. Residents in Izard County and neighboring areas have been advised to stay alert, secure their homes and vehicles, and report any suspicious activities by calling 911.

Federal, state, and local agencies are collaborating to locate Hardin, as noted in a U.S. marshals statement during the week of May 25. The search efforts include the use of K9 units and drones to scour the wooded areas. Coordinations with other states are also in progress to track possible movements of the fugitive.

Hardin, having worked in multiple law enforcement roles across Arkansas, has a documented history of behavioral and performance challenges. His last position was as the police chief in Gateway, Arkansas.

In 2017, Hardin was convicted of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of 59-year-old James Appleton. Appleton’s sister, the mayor of Gateway, described Hardin as “an evil man,” comparing his escape to a déjà vu experience. Additionally, Hardin was convicted of rape and kidnapping after DNA evidence linked him to the 1997 assault of a schoolteacher in Rogers, Arkansas. He received a 30-year sentence for Appleton’s murder, plus an additional 50 years for the rape and kidnapping charges.