A former small-town police chief in Arkansas escaped from a state prison Sunday while serving long sentences for murder and rape. He remains at large, authorities confirmed.
Grant Hardin, 56, broke out of the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on Sunday afternoon, reportedly using a disguise resembling a law enforcement outfit, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
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Several law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Arkansas State Police and local sheriff’s offices, are working together to track him down.
This escape follows a recent incident in New Orleans where 10 inmates broke out of jail. While seven people have been charged in that case, it’s still unclear how Hardin managed his escape.
Hardin fled the prison around 3:40 p.m. Sunday, the Department of Corrections said in a news release.
At the time, he appeared to be wearing a homemade law enforcement-style outfit, not an official Department of Corrections uniform. The Sunday night update didn’t provide further details on how he escaped.
A surveillance photo shows Hardin in black pants, a black T-shirt, and a black baseball cap, possibly wearing what looks like a bulletproof vest. He’s seen wheeling a cart with a box and pieces of wood. Authorities believe he exited through a secure sally port, according to the Stone County Sheriff’s Office.
Hardin, imprisoned since 2017, once served as police chief in Gateway, a small town near the Missouri border. His career also included roles as a police officer and county constable, according to an Investigation Discovery documentary.
Why Hardin Was Imprisoned
Hardin is serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder, along with two 25-year sentences for rape, according to Arkansas prison and court records.
In February 2017, he pleaded guilty to killing James Appleton, an employee of Gateway’s water department. Court documents state that Hardin shot Appleton in the head while Appleton was driving near his home. The plea was reduced from a capital murder charge.
During his sentencing, Hardin expressed regret to Appleton’s family, admitting he didn’t know how to properly apologize, according to CNN affiliate KHBS.
Two years later, his DNA—entered into the Arkansas DNA database after his murder plea—linked him to the 1997 rape of schoolteacher Amy Harrison. He pleaded guilty to two counts of rape.
Harrison had been preparing lesson plans at school on a Sunday while a church service was held nearby. After stepping out of the teacher’s lounge bathroom, she was met by an armed man and assaulted, court records say.
Hardin later expressed dissatisfaction with his court-appointed attorney, stating he wanted to withdraw his murder plea but struggled to access post-conviction legal resources.
His attorney, Shane Wilkinson, told CNN he’s been in contact with law enforcement and hasn’t heard from Hardin since the escape. Police have been checking Hardin’s home and business for leads.
In 2019, prison records show that Hardin completed an anger management program.
As of late Sunday night, Hardin had not been found. The Department of Corrections said the search continues using various investigative methods.
“Officials continue to utilize a variety of means to track Hardin, as well as investigating the events that led up to his escape,” the department stated. “Further updates will be provided as they become available.”
No new updates have been issued since.
Hardin is described as 6 feet tall and about 259 pounds. Authorities urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact local law enforcement immediately.
