Photo: Arkansas Department of Corrections
Grant Hardin, known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," has been captured after escaping from a medium-security prison in Arkansas. The former police chief, convicted of murder and rape, was apprehended on Friday (June 6) about 1.5 miles northwest of the Calico Rock prison. Hardin's escape on May 25 involved impersonating a corrections officer, allowing him to walk out undetected.
The Izard County Sheriff's Office confirmed his identity through fingerprinting. Hardin was serving a 30-year sentence for murder and a 50-year sentence for a 1997 rape when he escaped. The manhunt involved state and federal personnel, including an elite Border Patrol unit, BORTAC, and utilized bloodhounds, drones, and helicopters to navigate the rugged Ozark terrain.
The capture of Hardin ends a nearly two-week manhunt that included hundreds of local, state, and federal agencies.
“Thanks to the great work of local, state and federal law enforcement Arkansans can breathe a sigh of relief and I can confirm that violent criminal Grant Hardin is back in custody,” said Governor Sarah Sanders. “I am grateful for all law enforcement who contributed to his capture and give special thanks to the Trump administration and Secretary Kristi Noem, who sent a team from Border Patrol that was instrumental in tracking and apprehending Hardin.”
“I’m incredibly appreciative to all of our dedicated law enforcement agencies that spent countless hours, both day and night, sacrificing their time, utilizing their resources and lending their invaluable expertise to this search,” said Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace. “To every one of our Department staff that assisted in this manhunt over the last 13 days, I give my heartfelt thank you for your immeasurable contributions to bring this search to a peaceful conclusion.”
“I’m so proud of our Department staff and all the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for being steadfast as they always are,” said Chairman of the Board of Corrections Benny Magness. “I’m appreciative of them dedicating their time and sacrificing all they did to ensure Mr. Hardin was recaptured and the community could feel safe.”
“This was a great joint operation by a number of agencies, and I’m so thankful for their tireless efforts,” said Director of Division of Correction Dexter Payne. “The Arkansas State Police, U.S. Marshals, FBI, Border Patrol, Game and Fish, all the state and local agencies, along with the dedication of our Department employees, all played an indispensable role and I express my extreme gratitude.”
The Arkansas Department of Corrections admitted a lapse in security protocols, as staff failed to verify Hardin's identity before allowing him to leave. An internal investigation is underway. Hardin is expected to return to custody under heightened security, and officials are considering additional charges related to his escape.