Latest news with #Ex-Arkansas
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
Police search for man suspected of fatally stabbing his 2 sisters in Chicago area
Police search for man suspected of fatally stabbing his 2 sisters in Chicago area Show Caption Hide Caption Ex-Arkansas police chief imprisoned for murder escapes prison Grant Hardin, a former Gateway, Arkansas, police chief serving time for murder and rape, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25. unbranded - Newsworthy Police in a Chicago suburb are searching for a man suspected of stabbing a woman and a young girl, identified by local media as his sisters. The Streamwood Police Department identified 25-year-old Jalonie Jenkins as the suspect involved in the killing of a 21-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl in Streamwood, Illinois, on Wednesday evening, May 28. Jenkins' last known location was in Bensenville, a suburb near the Chicago O'Hare International Airport, police said. The two victims were identified as Janyia Jenkins, 21, and Eyani Jones, 10, the Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed to USA TODAY. According to CBS News and ABC7, which cite neighbors and friends of the family, the two victims were Jenkins' younger sisters. Community not believed to be in 'further danger' In a statement on Facebook, Streamwood Police Chief Shawn Taylor said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the families of these young victims. We are working hard to bring a swift resolution to this case so the families can grieve." Taylor added that the department does not believe the community is in "further danger." "This remains a tragic, isolated incident," Taylor said. "However, we believe in erring on the side of caution. If you see the suspect, please avoid him, and call 911 immediately.' Anyone with information should contact the Streamwood Police Department at 630-736-3700 or email police@ or leave a message on the department's confidential tip line at 630-736-3719. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'I shuddered': 'Devil in the Ozarks' producer reacts to Grant Hardin prison escape
'I shuddered': 'Devil in the Ozarks' producer reacts to Grant Hardin prison escape Show Caption Hide Caption Ex-Arkansas police chief imprisoned for murder escapes prison Grant Hardin, a former Gateway, Arkansas, police chief serving time for murder and rape, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25. unbranded - Newsworthy LOS ANGELES – Arkansas prison escapee and subject of the 2023 documentary "Devil in the Ozarks" Grant Hardin remains at large for a fifth day as the executive producer of the project told USA TODAY that he "really trembled" when he heard the news of the escape. "We've done a lot of these types of stories, and the idea that somebody like him is walking around somewhere is pretty scary," Ari Mark, co-founder of AMPLE Entertainment and executive producer of "Devil in the Ozarks," told USA TODAY in an interview May 29. "He was somebody who really believed, to use his wife's words, (he was) really invincible when he had the status as an officer." Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit on May 25 while wearing a "makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement," the Arkansas Department of Corrections said. He was convicted of the 2017 murder of James Appleton and the 1997 rape of a school teacher. Hardin served as police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, and had previous law enforcement experience, officials said. "He was able lead this sort of weird double life because it didn't seem like people in his life were aware of who he was and what he was capable of," Mark said. "Those are obviously the guys that are the scariest." Mark previously said in a statement that the company had been in touch with the subjects of the documentary. "It's just insane that they have to now re-experience this," Mark told USA TODAY. "Even just seeing the guy's face on the news again, I shuddered. I can only imagine what the victims and the victims' families felt." How to watch 'Devil in the Ozarks': Grant Hardin documentary streaming as convicted murderer on the run 'Devil in the Ozarks' producer says documentary can provide context for search Mark told USA TODAY that the documentary would, among other things, help the public understand the environment where both the crime took place and where the search is being conducted. "These types of stories being set where they are ... has a deeper impact beyond just the victims, and it has more of a collective impact," Mark said. Cheryl Tillman, the current mayor of Gateway and sister to Appleton, told USA TODAY May 28 that "anxiety is still high" in the town where the murder was committed. The Howell County Sheriff's Office reported in a May 29 Facebook post that it has received multiple reports of sightings from southern Missouri to Faulkner County, Arkansas. The FBI announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Hardin's arrest. What was Grant Hardin convicted of? Hardin pleaded guilty and sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2017 to murder in the first degree for shooting and killing Appleton in February of the same year, according to court records. A DNA test conducted following the murder conviction connected Hardin to the 1997 rape of a school teacher in Rogers, Arkansas, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case. Hardin pleaded guilty to two counts of rape in 2019 and was sentenced to serve 25 years in prison for each count consecutively, according to the plea agreement. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY
USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
What does it take to catch a fugitive? How NOLA, Ark. escapees are being tracked
What does it take to catch a fugitive? How NOLA, Ark. escapees are being tracked An inmate on the run 'can't show up at his mom's house to take a shower and get some meatloaf,' one expert says. Show Caption Hide Caption Ex-Arkansas police chief imprisoned for murder escapes prison Grant Hardin, a former Gateway, Arkansas, police chief serving time for murder and rape, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25. unbranded - Newsworthy For fugitives, the odds are stacked against them. With advances in surveillance technology and the proliferation of cameras and drones, today's jail escapees have much more to overcome than their predecessors even a decade ago. Still, the work of law enforcement is meticulous and patience is a key factor as they chase down inmates on the lam. Such sweeping manhunts are currently active in New Orleans and rural Arkansas. Police in Louisiana are searching for two of the 10 men who fled jail custody by climbing through a hole behind a toilet on May 10. In the rugged Ozark Mountains, search teams are hunting Grant Hardin, an ex-police chief and convicted murderer known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," who impersonated a guard and walked out of a medium-security prison on May 25. These breakouts have put residents who live near the facilities on edge and placed a spotlight on inmate escapes, leading many to wonder how the fugitives have managed to evade arrest and what it will take for law enforcement to catch them. Scott Duffey, co-director for the Criminal Justice Institute at Wilmington University and a retired FBI agent who spent a decade focused on fugitive apprehensions, said while the amount of time it takes for authorities to apprehend an escapee is different in each case, the end result is often the same – capture. "I would say higher than 90% of fugitives are caught," Duffey told USA TODAY. "It's a very, very rare occurrence for someone to be able to stay out on the loose. It's not impossible, it's just very difficult." Getting away with murder: These fugitives fled prisons – and were never caught How do investigators track a fugitive? Following a breakout, authorities will notify all law enforcement agencies in the area and establish a perimeter, scouring surveillance footage to identify in what direction the fugitives fled and what areas to cordon off, Duffey said. While on-the-ground-resources take up the search effort, investigators will dig into the background of the fugitives, focusing on their most recent contacts, family members and known criminal associates. "Normally what they do is head immediately to a known associate and try and hole up somewhere they can hide and have food and other resources brought to them," said Donald Lane, a former U.S. Secret Service agent with decades of experience in fugitive manhunts. In addition to interviewing a fugitive's friends and relatives, authorities may also place them under surveillance – a tactic that has often led to apprehensions, Lane said. "This is done in many cases because people lie to protect their family members and close friends," he said. Like True Crime? Check out Witness: A library of true crimes How time works against fugitives As the days go on, authorities will likely set up a tip line and flood the public with information about the fugitive. With the omnipresence of smartphones and doorbell cameras, the public plays a vital role in high-profile searches. Potential leads also come in the form of local crimes such as burglaries or carjackings, which could provide police with crucial information such as the fugitive's last known location, latest appearance and, in some cases, the license plate of a stolen vehicle. "When they're resorting to crimes, it gives law enforcement a bread crumb trail and usually brings them much closer" to an arrest, Duffey said. Both Duffey and Lane emphasized that time is on the side of law enforcement as the escapee burns through resources while trying to stay hidden. "The longer things go on, the harder it becomes for a fugitive," Lane said. "It becomes extremely difficult to get shelter, food, water and avoid human contact." Catching 2 fugitives is easier than finding 10 The breakouts in New Orleans and Arkansas have several stark differences that impact the ongoing searches. In New Orleans, a group of 10 prisoners fled the jail at the same time, which forced law enforcement to divide their resources and attention. "The large amount of individuals that escaped was totally and completely astonishing, and that worked to their advantage," Lane said. "But now that it's narrowed down to two individuals, all those resources are much more focused." Currently on the run are Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27. Massey was in jail on charges of domestic abuse involving strangulation and motor vehicle theft; he is also the subject of active warrants on charges including rape and kidnapping. Groves has been convicted of two counts of murder and a pair of attempted murder charges. The eight other fugitives were arrested following high speed chases, facial recognition technology flags and tips from the public. Police have also announced the arrests of six people accused of aiding the escapees. The 'Devil in the Ozarks' poses challenges to authorities The escape in Arkansas involves a former police chief who is familiar with law enforcement procedure and the mountainous terrain into which he fled, posing several rare challenges for the investigators looking for Hardin. "If you have a former police chief, he's going to know exactly what law enforcement is looking for, and he's going to know how to avoid as much human contact as possible," Lane said. Still, the odds are in investigators' favor, Lane said. He highlighted the apprehension of Danelo Cavalcante, a murder who escaped a Pennsylvania prison in September 2023 and evaded capture for two weeks. He was taken into custody in a wooded area after a thermal imaging camera picked up his heat signal. "Ultimately, it comes down to the same thing – (Hardin) is a fugitive and he's still on the run," Lane said. "He still can't show up at his mom's house to take a shower and get some meatloaf, you know. He's still likely to get caught over time, even though initially he may be hard to apprehend." Experts say people should stay vigilant Duffey and Lane said those living near the jailbreaks should take precautions such as locking their doors, but should not outright panic. "People in the immediate vicinity of the jail or prison should be vigilant and lock everything – the car, the garage, the house," Duffey said. "All of these can become places to hide or somewhere to look for something to steal." He added that people can help law enforcement by reporting anything suspicious and checking their surveillance cameras and Ring doorbells. Bryce Peterson, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said he's found in his research that 19% of inmate escapes result in some form of violence. That violence most often occurs while inmates are making their initial escape and usually involve relatively minor offenses, like shoving a correctional officer. If crimes are committed while on-the-run, they are typically theft crimes, said Peterson, a senior research scientist in CNA's Center for Justice Research and Innovation. Ultimately, fugitives want to avoid attention, especially any that could put investigators on their trail, Peterson said. He and other experts noted however that as time goes on, there are risks that escaped inmates could become increasingly desperate and potentially turn to violence, especially those already convicted of a major offense like murder. "I have no doubt they'll all be caught," Lane said. "I just hope it's sooner rather than later." Contributing: Terry Collins
USA Today
5 days ago
- USA Today
What to know about 'Devil in the Ozarks', Arkansas prison escape, as search enters 5th day
What to know about 'Devil in the Ozarks', Arkansas prison escape, as search enters 5th day Show Caption Hide Caption Ex-Arkansas police chief imprisoned for murder escapes prison Grant Hardin, a former Gateway, Arkansas, police chief serving time for murder and rape, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25. unbranded - Newsworthy The search for ex-Arkansas police chief and convicted murderer Grant Hardin, known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," entered its fifth day after he disguised himself as a corrections officer and slipped away from state prison, authorities said. Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit on May 25 while wearing a "makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement," the Arkansas Department of Corrections said. He was convicted of the 2017 murder of James Appleton and the 1997 rape of a school teacher. Hardin served as police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, and had previous law enforcement experience, officials said. His case was put in the spotlight with the 2023 documentary "Devil in the Ozarks." The search for Hardin includes local, state and federal authorities, but has been hampered by weather that prevented the use of drones and helicopters, corrections department spokesperson Rand Champion said at a May 28 news conference. The prison escape comes as authorities in Louisiana are also searching for escaped inmates. Two of 10 inmates who escaped a New Orleans jail on May 16 by ripping a toilet away from a wall and climbing through a hole are still on the run. More: Arkansas mayor, murder victim's sister reacts to Grant Hardin's escape How did the Arkansas prisoner escape? Hardin escaped at about 2:55 p.m. on May 25, the Arkansas Department of Corrections said in a news release. He was wearing a makeshift outfit that looked like one worn by corrections officers, officials said. "Inmate Hardin impersonated a corrections 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," Special Agent Dennis Simons of the Izard County Sheriff's Office wrote in an arrest affidavit. Like true crime? Check out Witness, a library of true crime stories Officials haven't given further details about how he obtained the clothing or made it as far as the gate. A photo from surveillance footage shows Hardin wearing the outfit and pushing a loaded cart as he escaped. Champion said Hardin was gone for about 20 minutes when an officer noticed he was missing. What were Grant Hardin's crimes? Who is James Appleton? Hardin pleaded guilty to the Feb. 23, 2017 murder of James Appleton. Appleton's brother-in-law and the mayor of Gateway at the time, Andrew Tillman, told police he was on the phone with Appleton while Appleton was driving his truck after filing a report with the sheriff's office. Appleton worked for the local water department and was reporting vandalization of a water tower. Appleton pulled over so he wouldn't lose signal while on the phone with Tillman, Tillman told investigators. Tillman heard what sounded like a car door slamming shut, then nothing. A witness also told police they saw someone pulled over behind the truck in a car and heard a gunshot, and identified the driver as Hardin. Appleton was found dead in his truck with a gunshot to the side of his head and face. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder. After his conviction, his DNA was matched with that from an unsolved rape case in 1997, in which a teacher said she was attacked while at school by a man who held her at gunpoint, according to court records. Hardin pleaded guilty to the rape and was given a 25-year sentence in 2019. Hardin was the chief of police in Gateway for about four months in 2016, the Associated Press reported. He was also terminated from roles at other police departments, local outlets have reported. Where can I watch 'Devil in the Ozarks?' The documentary "Devil in the Ozarks" is about a "brazen sexual assault shocks a small town, but goes unsolved for 20 years, until a nearby murder produces a suspect with matching DNA," its IMDB page says. "Two years ago, we made a documentary about Hardin's horrific crimes with Max/Investigation Discovery," Ari Mark, co-founder of AMPLE Entertainment, an award-winning production company, said in a statement. "We've since been in touch with the subjects of that film and law enforcement and are praying for Hardin's immediate capture in the name of justice and the victims and their families' peace of mind." "Devil in the Ozarks" can be streamed on Max or Hulu, through the "Live TV" or "Max" add-ons. You can also watch it on the Investigation Discovery (ID) GO app by inputting your TV provider credentials. More on how to watch: Documentary about Grant Hardin details rape case Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg, Michael Loria, James Powell, Jorge L. Ortiz and Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY
USA Today
5 days ago
- USA Today
What to know about 'Devil in the Ozarks' subject, convicted murderer who escaped prison
What to know about 'Devil in the Ozarks' subject, convicted murderer who escaped prison Show Caption Hide Caption Ex-Arkansas police chief imprisoned for murder escapes prison Grant Hardin, a former Gateway, Arkansas, police chief serving time for murder and rape, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25. unbranded - Newsworthy Convicted murderer Grant Hardin escaped from a Calico Rock, Arkansas, prison on May 25, 2025. Hardin was serving time for the 2017 murder of James Appleton and the 1997 rape of a teacher. He was a former Gateway, Arkansas, police chief. A 2023 documentary, "Devil in the Ozarks," covered Hardin's crimes. A convicted murderer who was the subject of a 2023 documentary remains at large following a May 25 prison escape. Grant Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas, where he was serving time for the 2017 murder of James Appleton and the 1997 rape of a school teacher, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He was sentenced to 80 years on the combined convictions, according to court records. Hardin, a former police chief, escaped while wearing "an ADC type uniform," according to the Stone County Sheriff's Office. "He's a sociopath," former Benton County prosecutor Nathan Smith told Arkansas ABC affiliate KHBS/KHOG May 27. "Prison's not full of people who are all bad. It's full of a lot of people who just do bad things. Grant's different." What was Grant Hardin convicted of? Hardin pleaded guilty to in 2017 to murder in the first degree for shooting and killing Appleton in February of the same year, according to court records. Appleton's brother-in-law, Andrew Tillman, told Benton County Sheriff's investigators that he was on the phone with Appleton when he was shot, according to a probable cause affidavit. Appleton had filed a police complaint shortly before the phone call and had pulled to the side of the road to complete the conversation, according to the affidavit. Appleton noted that a car had sped by his then stopped, saying, "It must think I'm a policeman or something," according to the affidavit. "Tillman said the next thing he heard on the phone was what sounded like a loud slammed door and 'that was it,'" the affidavit reads. A witness told investigators that he saw a white car parked behind Appleton's truck, heard a loud bang and saw the white car speed off. The witness then turned around to check on the truck only to discover Appleton dead, according to the affidavit. Tillman was the mayor of Gateway, Arkansas when the shooting occurred and his wife, Cheryl Tillman, currently serves as the town's mayor, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. "He's just an evil man," Cheryl told the paper. "He is no good for society." USA TODAY reached out to both Andrew and Cheryl Tillman for comment but did not receive an immediate response. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder, according to the plea agreement. DNA connects Grant Hardin to 1997 rape A DNA test conducted following the murder conviction connected Hardin to the 1997 rape of a school teacher in Rogers, Arkansas, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case. The victim told investigators that she was attacked on a Sunday morning, a time she normally worked to prepare for the week and noted that a church group was meeting in the school's cafeteria, according to an affidavit filed at the time of the attack. She was attacked at gunpoint after leaving her classroom for a restroom off of the teacher's lounge, according to the affidavit. The assailant was described as white male wearing a knit stocking cap and sunglasses, according to an application for a search warrant filed for a storage unit owned by Hardin. Hardin pleaded guilty to two counts of rape in 2019 and was sentenced to serve 25 years in prison for each count consecutively, according to the plea agreement. Grant Hardin held police jobs before arrest Hardin bounced around police departments before becoming the chief of police in Gateway, according to KHBS/KHOG and the Associated Press. He was with the Fayetteville Police Department from Aug. 6, 1990, to May 22, 1991, according to KHBS/KHOG. The department's chief of police then said he terminated Hardin because his efforts "fall short of the average probationary officer" and that he had a "tendency to not accept constructive criticism along with indecisiveness under stressful situations." A spell at the Eureka Springs Police Department, from April 1993 to October 1996, was marred by excessive uses of force and poor decisions on the job, the department's former police chief said, according to KHBS/KHOG. Hardin was the chief of police for Gateway for about four months at the start of 2016, according to the Associated Press. Grant Hardin's crimes covered in 'Devil in the Ozarks' documentary The 1997 rape was the focus of a 2023 documentary titled "Devil in the Ozarks," distributed by Investigation Discovery – according to the documentary's IMDB page. "A vicious sexual assault stuns a small town but goes unsolved for two decades, until a murder nearby reveals a suspect with matching DNA," the documentary's tagline reads.
