In a significant development, law enforcement officials have successfully recaptured Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and former police chief, following his escape from an Arkansas jail nearly two weeks prior.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections confirmed that Hardin was apprehended on Friday afternoon, June 6, by state law enforcement officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents.
As reported by Straight Arrow News, Hardin was located near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, Arkansas, approximately 1.5 miles from the North Central Unit, the medium-security facility from which he had fled. Tracking dogs played a crucial role in his capture by detecting his scent in the area.
The conclusion of this extensive manhunt, which involved local, state, and federal agencies, marks a significant achievement for law enforcement. "Im incredibly appreciative to all of our dedicated law enforcement agencies that spent countless hours, both day and night, sacrificing their time, utilizing their resources and lending their invaluable expertise to this search," stated Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace. She extended her gratitude to the department staff who contributed to the 13-day search effort.
Hardin's escape from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas, occurred on May 25. He reportedly donned a disguise resembling a law enforcement uniform, which enabled him to push a cart through a secure area and deceive a guard into allowing his exit.
Hardin's criminal record is extensive. In 2017, he confessed to the murder of James Appleton, a City of Gateway employee, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Additionally, he was convicted of the 1997 rape of Amy Harrison, a local schoolteacher, after DNA evidence linked him to the crime, resulting in a 50-year sentence.
Hardin's brief tenure as police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, lasted about four months in early 2016. Prosecutors have charged him with second-degree escape, and a comprehensive investigation is underway to uncover the full details of his jailbreak.
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