A former police chief charged with murder and rape has escaped from the Arkansas prison where he was serving a 30-year sentence.
State authorities said that a manhunt was underway for 59-year-old Grant Hardin, after he broke free from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas, where he had been serving time since 2017.
The Context
In October 2017, Hardin pleaded guilty to a first-degree murder charge in connection with the shooting of James Appleton, who was found dead inside his car. The former police chief is also facing another 50 years for the rape of an Arkansas elementary school teacher in 1997.
Arkansas Dept of Corrections
What To Know
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that Hardin had escaped from North Central Unit, near Calico Rock. Hardin escaped by wearing an outfit that made him look like a member of staff rather than a prisoner, according to an investigation of his flight.
A spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Corrections told Newsweek: “As of 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, the search for inmate Grant Hardin is ongoing. The search is a joint effort including the Department of Corrections, Arkansas State Police, and local and state law enforcement offices.
“It has been determined that Hardin was wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement when he escaped the North Central Unit. He was not wearing a Department of Corrections uniform, and all DOC-issued equipment has been accounted for.
“Officials continue to utilize a variety of means to track Hardin, as well as investigating the events that led up to his escape. Further updates will be provided as they become available.”
Hardin had previously served as the police chief for Gateway, a city to the north of Fayetteville on the state line with Missouri.
What People Are Saying
In the initial statement for Hardin’s escape, the Department of Corrections said: “On Sunday, May 25, at approximately 3:40 p.m., inmate Grant Hardin, escaped from the North Central Unit.
“Anyone with information about inmate Hardin’s whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately.
“The Division of Correction and the Division of Community Correction are working with local, state and federal law enforcement to follow leads.
“Hardin has been at the North Central Unit since 2017, serving a 30-year sentence for first degree murder, as well as an additional sentence for rape. Hardin was the former police chief for the city of Gateway with a background in law enforcement.”
Arkansas Dept of Corrections
What Happens Next
Authorities have said that more information will be released as the search progresses.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections said: “Hardin remains at large, and anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately.”