Grant Hardin, sentenced for the murder of 59-year-old James Appleton and linked to a historic rape case, is on the run after fleeing from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock, igniting a widespread police search.
Manhunt for Escaped Convicted Murderer and Former Police Chief in Arkansas
Manhunt for Escaped Convicted Murderer and Former Police Chief in Arkansas
Authorities are intensifying efforts to recapture Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and former police chief, who escaped from prison in Arkansas.
The manhunt for Grant Hardin, a former police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, who was convicted for murder and a historic rape case, is intensifying after he escaped from prison on Sunday. Hardin, 56, had been serving a 30-year sentence for the murder of 59-year-old James Appleton since 2017. Reports indicate that he fled from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock around 15:40 local time, shedding his prison uniform for a makeshift outfit resembling law enforcement attire.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections alerted the public through social media, stating that Hardin was considered armed and dangerous, urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact local authorities. The Stone County Sheriff's Office is among the "multitude of agencies" involved in the search, as Hardin reportedly has numerous connections in the area.
Former Benton County prosecutor Nathan Smith, who helped convict Hardin, characterized him as a "sociopath," highlighting a clear distinction between Hardin and other inmates. Smith noted, "Prison's not full of people who are all bad. It's full of a lot of people who just do bad things. Grant's different." Hardin pleaded guilty to shooting Appleton, whose body was found inside a car after being killed while conversing with then-Gateway Mayor Andrew Tillman.
Moreover, DNA evidence later linked Hardin to the 1997 rape of Amy Harrison, resulting in a 50-year sentence after he also admitted guilt in that case. Notably, before assuming the role of police chief, Hardin had resigned from the Eureka Springs Police Department amid allegations of falsifying a police report.
The escape comes on the heels of an unrelated prison break in New Orleans, raising concerns about security in correctional facilities. With his extensive criminal history and violent tendencies, authorities remain alert and are taking no chances in ensuring the public's safety as they search for Hardin.
