Ex-police Chief and Murderer Who Escaped Arkansas Prison Captured After 12-day Manhunt

Name: Ex-police Chief and Murderer Who Escaped Arkansas Prison Captured After 12-day Manhunt
Uploaded: 2025-06-07T01:28:04.000Z
Description: The convicted killer and rapist was found by law enforcement officials approximately 1.5 miles west of the prison where he escaped.

The convicted killer and rapist was found by law enforcement officials approximately 1.5 miles west of the prison where he escaped.

Rachel Acenas

Published: 6/6/2025, 9:18:56 PM EDT

Grant Hardin, a former Arkansas police chief who was serving time for murder and rape, has been captured after he escaped from prison nearly two weeks ago, according to authorities on Friday.

Hardin, 56, was found by law enforcement approximately 1.5 miles west of the prison grounds on June 6, according to a social media post by the Izard County Sheriff's Office.

"His identity was confirmed by fingerprint analysis prior to this announcement notifying the public," the post states. "We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the community for all law enforcement and Department of Corrections personnel involved in this operation."

Harsin was taken into custody shortly after 3 p.m. local time, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Tracking dogs were able to pick up a scent in the area, officials said in an update, and Hardin was apprehended a short time later.

The Department of Corrections also shared a photo on social media of Hardin's capture in which he appeared unshaven and wore a gray shirt.

This combo of images shows the recapture of escaped inmate Grant Hardin, an ex-police chief and convicted killer, by Arkansas law enforcement officers and the U.S. Border Patrol, near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, Ark., on June 6, 2025. (Arkansas Department of Corrections via AP) — This combo of images shows the recapture of escaped inmate Grant Hardin, an ex-police chief and convicted killer, by Arkansas law enforcement officers and the U.S. Border Patrol, near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, Ark., on June 6, 2025. Arkansas Department of Corrections via AP

Officials previously believed that Hardin had fled the state.

The man had been incarcerated at the North Central Unit in northern Arkansas since 2017.

He escaped from the facility in Calico Rock on May 25 while impersonating law enforcement. Officials said he disguised himself by wearing a makeshift uniform when he escaped.

Grant Hardin, a former police chief and convicted killer, escaping the North Central Unit prison, wearing a disguise in Calico Rock, Ark. (Arkansas Department of Corrections via AP) — Grant Hardin, a former police chief and convicted killer, escaping the North Central Unit prison, wearing a disguise in Calico Rock, Ark. Arkansas Department of Corrections via AP

Hardin, who spent four months working as the police chief for the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas–Missouri border, was serving decades-long sentences for murder and rape.

He was convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of city employee James Appleton in 2017. The former police chief was also convicted of the 1997 rape of elementary school teacher Amy Harrison in Rogers, Arkansas.

Hardin was sentenced to 30 years for murder and 50 years for the sexual assault.

Both cases were featured in the 2023 Max documentary "Devil in the Ozarks."

The capture of the convicted killer and rapist ends a nearly two-week manhunt that included hundreds of local, state, and federal agencies. The FBI, Arkansas State Police, Department of Corrections, and Department of Justice recently offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information that led to his arrest.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders applauded the collaboration between various law enforcement agencies for capturing the fugitive.

"Arkansans can breathe a sigh of relief because violent criminal Grant Hardin is now in custody. I am grateful for local, state and federal law enforcement and give special thanks to the Trump [administration] and [Secretary Kristi Noem] for sending Border Patrol who helped track and apprehend Hardin," the governor wrote on X, while posting a photo of his arrest.

Hardin's ability to escape and evade law enforcement for nearly two weeks has sparked serious concerns about prison security protocols.

Officials had been investigating whether a job Hardin held in the kitchen allowed him to break free and whether the role gave him access to materials to put together the makeshift uniform.

Hardin's escape comes after a major prison break in New Orleans where 10 inmates escaped a prison by ripping out a toilet and climbing through a hole in the wall. Two of those inmates are still on the run.