3 days ago
Search continues over a week for escaped Arkansas inmate Grant Hardin
CALICO ROCK, Ark. – A massive search is currently underway for an ex-police chief who escaped from an Izard County prison more than a week ago.
Authorities have been using any and every resource possible to locate 56-year-old Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and rapist.
Who is Grant Hardin, the 'Devil in the Ozarks'?
Hardin is a former police chief in northwest Arkansas who escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25. He was serving a sentence for rape and murder convictions.
According to court documents, Hardin was reportedly let out by a corrections officer. A spokesperson with the Arkansas Department of Corrections said Hardin escaped by disguising himself in an 'ADC-type uniform.'
Logan Barnes is the owner of Knowles True Value Hardware Store in Calico Rock. he says the community is remaining cautious as each day passes.
'At first I was spooked.I think everyone was a little leery.' Barnes goes on to say, 'We have a bunch of people that hunt and fish and they know how to protect their property.'
Officials say the rocky terrain, past rainy weather and his police background has made it difficult to find him. The rural area creates hiding places like caves.
'There's a lot of places to hide here. You could go off-grid here and no one would find you,' said Charlie Allen, owner of Lindsey Trout Dock.
A spokesperson with the Arkansas Department of Corrections says the manhunt includes helicopters, drones, horseback, ATVs, police checkpoints and more.
'We're the safest place on earth right now because there are cops everywhere,' said a local.
FBI offering $10,000 reward for information on Arkansas inmate escapee Grant Hardin
Charlie Allen has owned Lindsey Trout Dock on the White River for years, he says they have a lot of tourists that come out to fish and some have already asked about Hardin but adds the water wouldn't be easy to swim across.
'Since he has escaped this river has been really high and it's cold water so you would die of hyperthermia.' Allen goes on to say he believes Hardin will be captured because, 'I got friends that are involved in the prison and they're in the K9 unit out there so I have faith in that.'
Some of the community say they're keeping the faith that he will be arrested.
'This community is like a family where everyone is looking out for each other,' said Bambi Bowden, executive director of Main Street Calico Rock.
Allen hopes the 'Devil in the Ozarks' time on the run will finally end soon.
'He is not only a rapist but he is a murderer he needs to be in prison,' Allen said.
Authorities increase reward for information on Arkansas inmate escapee Grant Hardin to $25,000
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Marshals Service have increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of Arkansas prison escapee Grant Hardin to a combined $25,000 after five days of searching.
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