Escaped inmate known as ‘Devil in the Ozarks' found a ‘short distance' from prison: sheriff
IZARD COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Escaped Arkansas inmate Grant Hardin, known as 'Devil in the Ozarks,' has been taking into custody, according to the Izard County Sheriff's Office.
'Hardin was taken into custody by Izard County authorities just a short distance from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock,' the Stone County Sheriff's Office said via Facebook. 'While many details will remain under investigation there is no longer an active threat to public safety.'
Board of Corrections member Benny Magness also confirmed that Hardin is in custody.
Hardin, who was serving time for murder and rape, was first reported missing from the North Central Unit nearly two weeks ago on May 25.
Hardin managed to escape by impersonating a law enforcement official, according to a spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Hardin impersonated an officer 'in dress and manner, causing the corrections officer operating a secure gate to open the gate and allow Inmate Hardin to walk away from the North Central Unit,' according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Nexstar's KNWA.
Magness said he was captured about a mile from the unit in the woods, with help from a specialized unit from border patrol.
During the nearly two weeks that Hardin spent outside of the prison, authorities launched a massive manhunt that included local, state and federal agencies.
The search for Hardin was complicated by the rocky, rough terrain that includes dense forests and an extensive network of caves.
'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.'
'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 Corrections 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.'
Hardin, who was previously the chief of police in the small Arkansas town of Gateway, located near the Missouri border, had been incarcerated at Calico Rock since 2017.
He was serving 30 years after pleading guilty to murder in the fatal shooting of 59-year-old James Appleton, an employee for the Gateway water department. The prison term is in addition to a 50-year sentence for raping a teacher inside a Rogers, Arkansas elementary school in 1997.
This is a developing story.
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