Latest news with #DevilInTheOzarks'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Arkansas officials release new photo of escaped 'Devil in the Ozarks' on run for weeks
The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) on Tuesday released an updated photo of Grant Hardin, a former police chief-turned-prisoner who escaped detention on May 25, as a large-scale manhunt continues near the Ozarks. Former Gateway Police Department Chief Hardin, 56, fled from the North Central Unit, a medium-security prison, in Calico Rock that Sunday afternoon, according to ADC. Nicknamed the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hardin was serving decades in prison for murder and rape. "The search for escaped inmate Grant Hardin is ongoing as teams continue to focus their efforts in the north central Arkansas region while investigating tips as they are received," ADC said in a Tuesday update, along with a photo showing Hardin with facial hair. "With over a week passing since Hardin escaped the North Central Unit, we are releasing a possible updated headshot which could reflect how he might look today." The FBI and U.S. Marshals are offering a combined $25,000 for any information leading to Hardin's capture. They are asking anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at Former Arkansas Police Chief Grant Hardin's Prison Escape Offers Unique Challenges To Searchers: Experts It took less than 30 minutes for prison officials to notice that Hardin had disappeared from prison. Photos that the Stone County Sheriff's Office posted to social media show Hardin wearing an ADC-style uniform during his escape through a sally port, though ADC communications director Rand Champion said the uniform he was wearing was not official. Read On The Fox News App Louisiana Ag Confident Remaining Jailbreak Fugitives Will Be Recaptured After Officials Make 14Th Arrest Hardin has ties to Garfield, Eureka Springs, Holiday Island and Huntsville, according to the FBI. Champion said during a news conference last week that authorities are fairly confident in the route they believe Hardin took when he escaped and his current location. He added that the public should assume Hardin is "a very dangerous individual," and there is a risk he may commit more crimes while he is on the run. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years for murder plus additional time for rape. Manhunt Underway After Disgraced Former Police Chief Convicted Of Murder, Rape Escapes Arkansas Prison He pleaded guilty to the 2017 murder of James Appleton, 59, a city water employee who was found shot in the face inside his work truck, KNWA reported. While Hardin was being booked into the state prison around that time, officials submitted his DNA sample into a database. His DNA linked him to the rape cold case of a teacher in 1997, the outlet reported. 'Devil In The Ozarks' Who Escaped Prison Likely Still In Arkansas Area: Officials Hardin ended up pleading guilty in that case in 2019, according to KNWA. The former police chief's escape came two days after 10 prisoners escaped a correctional facility in New Orleans, eight of whom have since been recaptured while two remain at large. Hardin is described as a 6-foot White male, weighing approximately 259 pounds. Fox News' Stepheny Price and Louis Casiano contributed to this article source: Arkansas officials release new photo of escaped 'Devil in the Ozarks' on run for weeks
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Devil in the Ozarks': FBI offers $20K reward for capture of former Arkansas police chief on the run
The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the re-capture of a former Arkansas police chief serving time for murder and rape — dubbed "the Devil in the Ozarks" — who escaped on the afternoon of May 25. Former Gateway Police Department Chief Grant Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit, a medium-security prison, that Sunday afternoon in Calico Rock, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC). The FBI said Hardin has ties to Garfield, Eureka Springs, Holiday Island and Huntsville. "The FBI's Little Rock Field Office is assisting the U.S. Marshal Service, the Arkansas Department of Corrections, and the Arkansas State Police with the search for and apprehension of Grant Matthew Hardin," reads an FBI wanted poster. Texas Escaped Inmate Considered Armed And Dangerous After Psychiatric Hospital Break Former FBI agent Rob D'Amico told "Fox & Friends" Friday morning that Hardin's past as a police chief may give him a unique advantage on the run. Read On The Fox News App "I think it makes it a lot more challenging. He knows how they do it. He knows what they look for, he knows how they follow leads. He knows how they do surveillance," D'Amico said. 'Devil In The Ozarks' Who Escaped Prison Likely Still In Arkansas Area: Officials The former FBI agent noted that there are likely many unmanned, unlocked cabins and sheds in wooded areas around Stone County, which is located East of the Ozark Mountains. ADC Communications Director Rand Champion said during a Wednesday news conference that authorities are fairly confident in the route they believe Hardin took when he escaped prison and his current location in the region. Manhunt Underway After Disgraced Former Police Chief Convicted Of Murder, Rape Escapes Arkansas Prison "Based on the information that we have and the experience of our teams, they feel fairly confident that he is still fairly close to this region," Champion said, noting that "all it takes is one vehicle" for Hardin to use to travel elsewhere, though officials have established a perimeter around the area of Stone County. "As of this time, they are still very confident that he is in the area," Champion said. Massive Jail Break In New Orleans 'Impossible' Without Staff Involvement, Says Ex-fbi Fugitive Hunter Champion said the public should assume Hardin is "a very dangerous individual," and there is a risk he may commit more crimes while he is on the run. It took less than 30 minutes for prison officials to notice that Hardin had disappeared from prison. Photos that the Stone County Sheriff's Office posted to social media show Hardin wearing an ADC-style uniform during his escape through a sally port, though Champion said the uniform he was wearing was not an official uniform. Louisiana Ag Confident Remaining Jailbreak Fugitives Will Be Captured After Officials Make 14Th Arrest Hardin was sentenced to 30 years for murder plus additional time for rape. He pleaded guilty to the 2017 murder of James Appleton, 59, a city water employee who was found shot in the face inside his work truck, KNWA reported. While Hardin was being booked into the state prison around that time, officials submitted his DNA sample into a database. His DNA ended up linking him to the rape cold case of a teacher in 1997, the outlet reported. Hardin ended up pleading guilty in that case in 2019, according to KNWA. The former police chief's escape came two days after 10 prisoners escaped a correctional facility in New Orleans, eight of whom have since been re-captured while two remain at large. Hardin is described as a 6 ft. white male, weighing approximately 259 pounds. The FBI is asking tipsters to call 1-800-CALL-FBI with any information concerning the escapee. Fox News' Stepheny Price and Louis Casiano contributed to this article source: 'Devil in the Ozarks': FBI offers $20K reward for capture of former Arkansas police chief on the run
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Texas escaped inmate considered armed and dangerous after psychiatric hospital break
The Austin Police Department has issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert for an inmate who escaped while on hold at a psychiatric hospital in Texas. McArthur Mathis was transported to The Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital on Wednesday after being in custody in Grimes County since he was arrested Jan. 2 on multiple warrants. Mathis is also a registered sex offender. Mathis is facing multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury to a family member, obstruction or retaliation, deadly conduct and burglary of a habitation. 'Devil In The Ozarks' Who Escaped Prison Likely Still In Arkansas Area: Officials Police say they responded to an urgent welfare call at around 10:30 p.m. and learned that Mathis had allegedly kicked the back door open and jumped over a 6-foot fence. Mathis could be attempting to return to known contacts in Grimes, Lavaca, Brazos or Gonzales counties, the department said. Read On The Fox News App Louisiana Ag Confident Remaining Jailbreak Fugitives Will Be Recaptured After Officials Make 14Th Arrest Police also said Mathis should be considered armed and dangerous due to his criminal history. Anyone with information on Mathis is asked to contact the Grimes County Sheriff's Office at 936-873-2151, Grimes County Crimestoppers at (936) 873-2000, or article source: Texas escaped inmate considered armed and dangerous after psychiatric hospital break
