Grant Hardin, a former police chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” was captured Friday by Arkansas law enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol nearly two weeks after escaping prison where he was serving time for murder and rape.
Recent “high water” had limited visibility of law enforcement officers and hampered tracking efforts by a bloodhound in the area where Hardin was hiding, the Arkansas Department of Corrections said in a series of updates over the past week.
Newsweek has reached out to the Arkansas Department of Corrections, U.S. Border Patrol, and U. S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Arkansas for comment via email on Saturday.
Why It Matters
Since 2017, Hardin, 56, has been held in a Calico Rock prison, following decades-long sentences for the murder of James Appleton and the rape of an Arkansas school teacher. He previously served as the police chief of the small town of Gateway, Arkansas.
On May 25, he escaped from the North Central Unit by disguising himself in what officials described as a makeshift law enforcement uniform, then passing through secure prison areas while impersonating an officer.
Hardin’s escape has heightened concerns about prison security, coming just days after 10 inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail on May 16. Two of the inmates are still at large.
What To Know
Hardin was arrested around a mile-and-a-half from the prison around 3 p.m. ET on June 6. Tracking dogs were able to pick up his scent and lead to his apprehension by law enforcement.
“The direction he went, specifically around Moccasin Creek, saw high water due to the abundance of rain the last few weeks,” the Arkansas Department of Corrections press release stated, noting that, “Search teams had looked through this area before, but the high water previously limited their ability to fully investigate.”
Earlier reports noted that tracking dogs had quickly picked up his scent once he escaped, only to lose it after heavy rain fall. Bloodhounds are known to be incredible trackers.
Hardin’s criminal record includes first-degree murder, following the shooting death of Appleton in 2017, and two counts of rape from a 1997 case in Rogers, Arkansas. The HBO documentary Devil in the Ozarks recounts how a rape case in a small Arkansas town went unsolved for 20 years until the murder of Appleton led investigators to Hardin, whose DNA connected him to both crimes.
The more than 10-day search involved multiple law enforcement agencies and included helicopters, drones and tracking dogs.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Border Patrol wrote in a Facebook post on Friday: “One Fugitive. ZERO Chance. Grant Hardin, murderer and rapist, escaped from an Arkansas prison nearly two weeks ago. USBP Special Operations Group deployed to assist in the manhunt and tracked him down less than 2 miles from the prison. Hardin was turned over to Arkansas State Police unharmed.”
Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders said in a statement: “Thanks to the great work of local, state and federal law enforcement Arkansans can breathe a sigh of relief and I can confirm that violent criminal Grant Hardin is back in custody. I am grateful for all law enforcement who contributed to his capture and give special thanks to the Trump administration and Secretary Kristi Noem, who sent a team from Border Patrol that was instrumental in tracking and apprehending Hardin.”
Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace said in a statement: “I’m 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. To every one of our Department staff that assisted in this manhunt over the last 13 days, I give my heartfelt thank you for your immeasurable contributions to bring this search to a peaceful conclusion.”
Director of Division of Corrections Dexter Payne said in a statement: “This was a great joint operation by a number of agencies, and I’m so thankful for their tireless efforts. “The Arkansas State Police, U.S. Marshals, FBI, Border Patrol, Game and Fish, all the state and local agencies, along with the dedication of our Department employees, all played an indispensable role and I express my extreme gratitude.”
Cheryl Tillman, sister of murder victim James Appleton, told CNN: “He’s just an evil, evil man. I’m sure the people here in Gateway are worried about him breaking out of prison after what he’s done.”
What Happens Next
Hardin has been transferred to the Varner Supermax prison in Gould, Arkansas, where he will remain in custody.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections said ongoing interviews with Hardin and a continuing security review will help clarify the details of his escape and time on the run. Additional updates or media briefings will be announced as new information becomes available.
On May 30, a criminal compliant was filed against Hardin by the U. S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Arkansas.
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