Authorities have recaptured Grant Hardin, a former police chief and convicted criminal, who escaped from an Arkansas prison.
Hardin was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape convictions. The capture occurred after a nearly two-week manhunt.
Hardin, once the police chief of the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was notorious for his criminal actions. Known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” Hardin managed to escape from the North Central Prison Unit in Calico Rock by impersonating a corrections officer.
The escape initiated on May 25, and he remained on the run for almost two weeks. Law enforcement officials launched an extensive manhunt to locate him. The search led to his capture approximately 1.5 miles from the prison.
Authorities found Hardin near Moccasin Creek in Izard County. He was not injured during the capture, although authorities checked him for signs of dehydration. Local, state, and federal law enforcement worked together to capture the escapee.
The governor of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, confirmed Hardin’s capture. She credited the coordinated effort of the law enforcement agencies for bringing the search to a successful conclusion. Officials expressed relief that a dangerous criminal was back in custody.
Hardin’s previous criminal activities and his escape attracted significant attention. His notoriety earned him the moniker “Devil in the Ozarks,” and his case was featured in various media reports.
