Hunting of Criminal Nicknamed "Ozarks' Devil" by Bloodhounds Halted by Intense Rainfall Following Prison Escape
Escaped Convicted Killer Sought in Arkansas
In northern Arkansas, a manhunt is underway for Grant Hardin, infamously known as the "Devil in the Ozarks." The search began after Hardin escaped from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock on Sunday.
A bloodhound, part of a specialized unit housed at the prison, caught Hardin's scent shortly after the escape. Despite heavy rain that interfered with the tracking, the highly trained dog's keen sense of smell remained effective.
Initially, the hound managed to track Hardin for a short distance, but the trail was lost due to the rain. The convict could have gone in any direction after that.
The FBI has offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Hardin's arrest. He was serving a 30-year sentence for murder when he fled, leaving behind plenty of clothes and other items that aide in familiarizing the bloodhounds with an individual's scent.
Hardin's criminal history spans across decades. He had worked as a police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was given a 30-year sentence. His DNA was previously matched to a 1997 rape case in Rogers, north of Fayetteville, for which he received a separate 50-year sentence.
An investigation by the Arkansas Department of Corrections is ongoing to determine if Hardin had any assistance during the escape and to help pinpoint his current location. Authorities have not yet disclosed the number of dogs involved in the manhunt, but the Calico Rock prison is known for its bloodhounds living on prison grounds.
Historically, fugitives being hunted by bloodhounds have taken extreme measures to throw the dogs off their trail. Fugitives may use various tactics, such as collecting black and cayenne pepper or sleeping in trees to disperse their scent.
The Arkansas prison's bloodhounds are deployed not only for tracking dangerous criminals but also for finding missing children, persons with special needs, and the elderly. When a bloodhound finds its quarry, it tends to raise a commotion. In contrast, other types of dogs used for finding vulnerable individuals are friendlier and may lick the person upon finding them.
As the search for Hardin continues, area residents express concern and unease. Officials and residents alike are aware of Hardin's cunning and smart nature, and experts suggest he likely planned for potential obstacles like the heavy rain that hindered the bloodhounds.
- Escaped Prisoner
- Arkansas
- The general-news outlets are reporting an ongoing manhunt in Arkansas for Grant Hardin, an escaped prisoner popularly known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," accused of crimes ranging from murder to rape.
- The ongoing escape of Grant Hardin, a convicted criminal with a history spanning decades, has led to concerns among the residents of Arkansas, particularly given Hardin's cunning nature and the potential for him to implement tactics to evade capture, such as dispersing his scent or seeking shelter from the rain.
- Despite the manhunt for Grant Hardin, a convicted killer and former police chief who escaped prison in Arkansas, news of sports and other non-criminal topics continue to be featured in local headlines, providing a stark contrast to the ongoing search for the dangerous fugitive.
