Latest news with #IzardCountySheriff'sOffice
International Business Times
3 days ago
- International Business Times
Grant Hardin: Former Police Chief and 'Devil in the Ozarks' Killer Captured Almost Two Weeks after Escaping Arkansas Prison
The former police chief, convicted of murder and rape known as the "Devil in the Ozarks", was nabbed on Friday, less than two miles from the Arkansas prison he broke out of two weeks earlier, according to officials. Grant Hardin, 56, had managed to avoid being captured since walking out of the Calico Rock prison on May 25, even as authorities used bloodhounds, mounted officers, drones, helicopters, and a specialized U.S. Border Patrol unit in the extensive manhunt over the apst two weeks. "Escapee Grant Hardin was captured this afternoon approximately 1.5 miles west of the prison grounds by law enforcement officials," the Izard County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook. Nabbed at Last "His identity was confirmed by fingerprint analysis prior to this announcement notifying the public." U.S. Customs and Border Protection said that the elite Border Patrol Tactical Team, known as BORTAC, helped in the hunt for Hardin by offering "advanced search capabilities and operational support" to law enforcement agencies. The team's members are trained to operate in challenging environments, such as the rugged Ozark Mountains area where Hardin fled. Hardin had once served as the police chief in a small, peaceful town near the Arkansas-Missouri border before committing the horrific rape and murder of a local elementary school teacher in 1997. His shocking crimes were later featured in the television documentary "Devil in the Ozarks." Life in Jail, an Escape and Capture Hardin was finally captured and arrested in 2017 after a DNA match linked him to the decades-old murder. He admitted to first-degree murder and received a 30-year prison sentence. In 2018, he again pleaded guilty—this time to additional charges of rape and kidnapping—which added another 50 years to his sentence. Hardin managed to escape by disguising himself as a prison guard, "in dress and manner," according to court records. A guard stationed in one of the towers failed to spot the disguise and opened a secured gate, allowing him to walk out. Rand Champion, a representative for the state's prison system, admitted that Hardin's identity should have been verified before he was allowed to leave the facility. He confirmed that the security "lapse" will be thoroughly investigated and necessary action will be taken against people responsible for his escape.
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Ex-police chief, convicted killer who escaped from Arkansas prison is captured
A former police chief and convicted killer known as the 'Devil in the Ozarks' was captured by law enforcement 1.5 miles northwest of the prison he escaped from following a massive, nearly two-week-long manhunt in the rugged mountains of northern Arkansas, authorities announced Friday. Grant Hardin, a former police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape. Eventually, his notoriety led to a TV documentary, 'Devil in the Ozarks.' Hardin briefly attempted to run from officers when he saw them approach Friday afternoon, but he was quickly tackled to the ground, said Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the Arkansas prison system. 'He'd been on the run for a week and a half and probably didn't have any energy left in him,' he added. Hardin's identity was confirmed through fingerprinting, the Izard County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. Investigators are 'chomping at the bit and really ready to talk to him,' said Champion, who used his cellphone to capture an image of Hardin being led away by officers. Hardin said nothing during those moments. Hardin had been held at the Calico Rock prison since 2017 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in a fatal shooting. In order to escape, he impersonated a corrections officer 'in dress and manner,' according to a court document. A prison officer in one of the guard towers opened a secure gate, allowing him to walk out of the facility. Champion said that someone should have checked Hardin's identity before he was allowed to leave, describing the lack of verification as a 'lapse' that's being investigated. Searchers had been using bloodhounds, officers on horseback, drones and helicopters in their hunt for Hardin since he escaped May 25. Shortly after the escape, a bloodhound found — then quickly lost — Hardin's scent when heavy rains blew through the area, Champion said. 'That was one of the most frustrating things, that they were able to track him but then they lost him,' Champion said. An elite and highly trained U.S. Border Patrol team had recently joined the search, federal authorities said. The Border Patrol Tactical Team provided 'advanced search capabilities and operational support,' U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. Its members are experienced in navigating complex terrain, the agency said. The team tracked Hardin through the region known for its rocky and rugged landscape, thick forests and an extensive cave network. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol shared photos on Facebook of Hardin shirtless and covered in mud, laying face down with his hands tied behind his back on Friday. The post said that Hardin was 'turned over to Arkansas State Police unharmed' by the federal agency. Hardin pleaded guilty in 2017 to first-degree murder for the killing of James Appleton, 59. Appleton worked for the Gateway water department when he was shot in the head Feb. 23, 2017. Police found Appleton's body inside a car. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Hardin's DNA was also matched to the 1997 rape of a teacher at an elementary school north of Fayetteville. He was sentenced to 50 years for that crime. Though Hardin was police chief in Gateway for just four months, he had served as an officer in multiple communities around northwest Arkansas, his police records show. In his first job as a police officer 35 years ago in Fayetteville, Hardin struggled almost immediately, his supervisors said. He was dismissed by Fayetteville police, but kept getting hired for other law enforcement jobs in northwest Arkansas over the years. Hardin worked about six months at the Huntsville Police Department before resigning; records do not give a reason for his resignation. He later worked at the Eureka Springs Police Department from 1993 to 1996. Former Chief Earl Hyatt said Hardin resigned because Hyatt was going to fire him over incidents that included the use of excessive force. Martin and Riddle write for the Associated Press.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Ex-police chief and convicted killer who escaped from an Arkansas prison has been captured
A former police chief and convicted killer known as the 'Devil in the Ozarks' was captured by law enforcement 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) northwest of the prison he escaped from following a massive, nearly two-week-long manhunt in the rugged mountains of northern Arkansas, authorities announced Friday. Grant Hardin, a former police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape . Eventually, his notoriety led to a TV documentary, 'Devil in the Ozarks.' Hardin briefly attempted to run from officers when he saw them approach Friday afternoon, but he was quickly tackled to the ground, said Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the Arkansas prison system. 'He'd been on the run for a week and a half and probably didn't have any energy left in him,' he added. Hardin's identity was confirmed through fingerprinting, the Izard County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. There's no indication that Hardin was injured, though he will be checked for dehydration and other medical problems. Now, investigators are 'chomping at the bit and really ready to talk to him,' said Champion, who used his cellphone to capture an image of Hardin being led away by officers. Hardin said nothing during those moments. How the escape happened Hardin had been held at the Calico Rock prison since 2017 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in a fatal shooting. In order to escape, he impersonated a corrections officer 'in dress and manner,' according to a court document. A prison officer in one of the guard towers opened a secure gate, allowing him to walk out of the facility. Champion said that someone should have checked Hardin's identity before he was allowed to leave, describing the lack of verification as a 'lapse' that's being investigated. Searchers had been using bloodhounds, officers on horseback, drones and helicopters in their hunt for Hardin since he escaped on May 25. Shortly after the escape, a bloodhound found — then quickly lost — Hardin's scent when heavy rains blew through the area, Champion said. The bloodhound tracked Hardin's path for less than a quarter of a mile, after which could have gone in any direction. 'That was one of the most frustrating things, that they were able to track him but then they lost him because of the rain,' Champion said. An elite and highly trained U.S. Border Patrol team had recently joined the search, federal authorities announced this week. The Border Patrol Tactical Team known as BORTAC provided 'advanced search capabilities and operational support,' U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. Its members are experienced in navigating complex terrain, the agency said. The Ozark Mountains region is known for its rocky and rugged landscape, thick forests and an extensive cave network. Hardin's criminal convictions Hardin pleaded guilty in 2017 to first-degree murder for the killing of James Appleton, 59. Appleton worked for the Gateway water department when he was shot in the head Feb. 23, 2017, near Garfield. Police found Appleton's body inside a car. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Hardin's DNA was also matched to the 1997 rape of a teacher at an elementary school in Rogers, north of Fayetteville. He was sentenced to 50 years for that crime. Cheryl Tillman, Appleton's sister , was with her mother and sister at a flea market in Ozark, Missouri, when law enforcement called to tell her Hardin had been captured. Tillman is also the mayor of Gateway, the 450-person town where Hardin was briefly police chief. Tillman told The Associated Press that Hardin's capture was a 'big sigh of relief' for her whole family. 'We don't have to walk around, turning around all the time, thinking somebody's on our back,' Tillman said, emphasizing her appreciation for the officers who helped capture Hardin. A problematic past in law enforcement Though Hardin was police chief in Gateway for just four months, he had served as an officer in multiple communities around northwest Arkansas, his police records show. In his first job as a police officer 35 years ago in Fayetteville, Hardin struggled almost immediately, his supervisors said. He was dismissed by Fayetteville police, but kept getting hired for other law enforcement jobs in northwest Arkansas over the years. Hardin worked about six months at the Huntsville Police Department before resigning, but records do not give a reason for his resignation. He later worked at the Eureka Springs Police Department from 1993 to 1996. Former Chief Earl Hyatt said Hardin resigned because Hyatt was going to fire him over incidents that included the use of excessive force. 'He did not need to be a police officer at all,' Hyatt told television station KNWA. By the time he was the police chief in Gateway in 2016, 'he was out chasing cars for no reason,' Tillman recalled in the documentary 'Devil in the Ozarks.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Notorious 'Devil in the Ozarks' finally caught after weeks-long manhunt that drew multiple agencies
Escapee Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and rapist who sparked a multi-agency manhunt after fleeing custody last month, has been captured. Nicknamed the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hardin was apprehended this afternoon approximately 1.5 miles north-northwest of the North Central Unit prison facility from which he escaped on May 25, the Izard County Sheriff's Office said. Hardin's identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis prior to the department's announcement of his long-awaited capture. Officials said that he was taken into custody without incident, ending a weeks-long manhunt that had drawn in local law enforcement, state police, federal agencies, and elite tactical units. The capture of the fugitive came after authorities focused their search in the rugged, remote terrain surrounding the prison grounds. Dangerous 'Devil In The Ozarks' Former Police Chief On The Run As Expert Warns Outdoorsmen To Stay Away The Arkansas Department of Correction said that Hardin's eventual capture was a joint effort by Arkansas law enforcement officers and the U.S. Border Patrol near Moccasin Creek. Tracking dogs were able to pick up a scent in the area, and Hardin was apprehended a short time later, they said. Read On The Fox News App "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." Sources told Fox News that Hardin appeared malnourished when he was apprehended. Hardin, 56, was serving an 80-year sentence for the 2017 murder of James Appleton and a previously unsolved 1997 rape case. Hardin escaped prison through a sally port, wearing a makeshift ADC-style uniform, ADC communications director Rand Champion said last week, noting the uniform he was wearing was not official. Following his escape at approximately 2:55 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, federal and local law enforcement tirelessness searched for the ex-police chief. "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." Arkansas Officials Release New Photo Of Escaped 'Devil In The Ozarks' On Run For Weeks In a statement, the Izard County Sheriff's Office thanked the public and the law enforcement community for their ongoing support and vigilance during the manhunt. "We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the community for all law enforcement personnel involved in this operation," the department said. WATCH: Officials have not yet released further details regarding how Hardin was located or whether he received any outside assistance during his escape. Investigations into the security breach remain ongoing. Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this article source: Notorious 'Devil in the Ozarks' finally caught after weeks-long manhunt that drew multiple agencies
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Ex-police chief convicted of rape and murder captured after escaping Arkansas prison
Grant Hardin, a former Arkansas police chief convicted of rape and murder, was captured Friday after escaping from prison nearly two weeks ago. Hardin, 56, was taken into custody roughly 1.5 miles west of North Central Unit, the facility he fled wearing what prison officials have described as a "makeshift" law enforcement uniform, the Arkansas Department of Corrections said. U.S. Border Patrol agents and Arkansas law enforcement officers found him near an Izard County creek after tracking dogs picked up his scent in the area, the department said. He was apprehended a short time later. Hardin's identity was confirmed by fingerprint analysis, the Izard County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. '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," Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace said in a statement. Hardin walked out of the North Central Unit just before 3 p.m. May 25. An affidavit stated that he "impersonated a corrections officer in dress and manner, causing a corrections officer operating a secure gate to open the gate." Authorities released a photo showing him dressed in all black and pushing a wheeled cart with what appeared to be wooden pallets on it. Multiple agencies, including state police, assisted in the search. The FBI, Department of Corrections, Arkansas State Police, and Department of Justice said there was a reward of up to $10,000 for information that led to his arrest. Hardin, who has a background in law enforcement, was in prison for killing Gateway city water employee James Appleton in 2017 and raping teacher Amy Harrison in 1997. He was sentenced to 30 years for Appleton's murder and 50 years for the sexual assault. Both cases were featured in the 2023 Max documentary "Devil in the Ozarks." Rand Champion, a Corrections Department spokesperson, had said that Hardin's background in law enforcement made the search more difficult. Hardin was the police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, for about four months in early 2016. From August 1990 to May 1991, he worked for the Fayetteville Police Department. A department spokesperson said he was let go while still going through the training program. NBC affiliate KNWA of Fayetteville reported that he also worked as a police officer, county constable, and corrections officer. This article was originally published on
