Contemptibly convicted former police chief eludes custody at Arkansas penal institution, previously incarcerated for murders and rapes.
Escaped Convicted Ex-Police Chief Named Grant Hardin Remains at Large
Former law enforcement officer Grant Hardin, who was serving a 30-year sentence for rape and murder, successfully escaped from the North Central Unit prison located in Calico Rock, Arkansas, on Sunday. The Arkansas Department of Corrections confirmed the incident via a social media post.
In the afternoon of May 26, 2025, Hardin, aged 56 and standing 6 feet tall, managed to flee the facility by donning a makeshift uniform resembling law enforcement attire, as stated by the department in a follow-up social media post. It should be noted that all Department of Corrections-issued equipment has since been accounted for.
The ongoing investigation into Hardin's escape involves multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Arkansas Department of Corrections, state police, and local law enforcement offices. Authorities are actively searching for the dangerous fugitive, and anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.
Prior to his incarceration, Hardin served as the police chief for Gateway, Arkansas, a small town with a few hundred residents. In October 2017, Hardin pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 59-year-old James Appleton. The incident occurred near Garfield, with Appleton being a worker for the Gateway water department and speaking to then-Gateway Mayor Andrew Tillman at the time of the crime.
In addition to the murder conviction, Hardin is also serving a 50-year sentence for the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, Arkansas. Previous reports from KFSM, a local Fort Smith affiliate, revealed that policemen in 2003 used DNA samples from the rape victim's clothes to apply for a "John Doe" warrant due to the imminent expiration of the statute of limitations. With Hardin's subsequent imprisonment for Appleton's killing, investigators finally secured a match.
As the manhunt for Hardin continues, the public is advised not to approach him due to his dangerous status. Official news sources and announcements from local law enforcement are the best sources for timely updates on the situation.
The escape of the convicted ex-police chief, Grant Hardin, from the North Central Unit prison has become a major focus of crime-and-justice news. Law enforcement agencies, including the Arkansas Department of Corrections, state police, and local law enforcement offices, are actively searching for Hardin, who is wanted for his role in the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher and the 2017 murder of James Appleton. The public is urged to stay informed about the ongoing investigation through general-news and crime-related sources.
