Escape of Convicted Ex-Police Chief Sparks Manhunt in Arkansas

The manhunt for former Gateway, Arkansas chief of police, Grant Hardin, is underway after his escape from prison where he was serving time for murder and rape. Hardin, considered armed and dangerous, has numerous connections in the area.

The search for ex-police chief Grant Hardin, convicted of murder and rape, is intensifying after he escaped from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas, on Sunday afternoon. Hardin, 56, who was serving a 30-year sentence for the murder of James Appleton, a city water department employee, and an additional 50 years for a 1997 rape, had been incarcerated since 2017.

Authorities reported that Hardin made his escape around 15:40 local time, donning a makeshift outfit mimicking law enforcement attire. The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADOC) took to social media to announce his disappearance and urged citizens to report any sightings, emphasizing his dangerous nature. "Considered armed and dangerous," Hardin has extensive ties and family in the Pea Ridge area, prompting local police to advise residents against approaching him.

Hardin's criminal history paints a troubling picture. After his conviction for the first-degree murder of Appleton in 2017, additional evidence emerged that connected him to the 1997 rape of Amy Harrison, leading to a second guilty plea. A former prosecutor described him as a sociopath, highlighting his violent past and temperament as factors contributing to his criminal behavior.

The ADOC has involved multiple agencies in the ongoing manhunt. This incident comes on the heels of another prison escape in New Orleans, raising concerns about security within correctional facilities. Authorities have ramped up their commitment to recapturing Hardin as the community remains on high alert.