Ex- Arkansas Police Chief jailed for murder, rape recaptured after daring Prison escape

Grant Hardin, a former police chief in Arkansas who escaped from prison while serving multiple lengthy sentences for murder and rape, has been recaptured after more than ten days on the run, according to the Izard County Sheriff’s Office.

Hardin, 56, previously served as the police chief of Gateway, a small town in northwest Arkansas.

He had been incarcerated on a 30-year sentence for the 2017 murder of a man named James Appleton, alongside two additional 25-year sentences for separate rape convictions.

His crimes shocked the community, particularly given his position in law enforcement at the time.

Authorities launched an extensive manhunt after discovering Hardin had escaped from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas.

The search spanned multiple jurisdictions, and law enforcement initially feared he may have crossed state lines.

His escape prompted concerns due to his violent criminal history and former police training, which could have helped him evade capture.

After days of tracking and coordination between state and local agencies, Hardin was finally located on Friday afternoon just 1.5 miles west of the prison grounds.

His capture was confirmed in a Facebook update from the Izard County Sheriff’s Office, bringing relief to both law enforcement and nearby communities.

Details surrounding how Hardin managed to escape from the prison have not yet been publicly disclosed, and an investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.

Corrections officials are expected to review security protocols at the facility to determine how the escape occurred and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Arkansas Department of Corrections has not yet issued a statement regarding potential additional charges Hardin may face as a result of his escape.