Latest news with #StoneCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Arkansas prisoner escapee captured Friday afternoon
CALICO ROCK, Ark. — Grant Hardin, a prisoner who escaped last month, has been captured, according to the Stone County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) in Arkansas. Hardin was apprehended at 3:45 p.m. Friday, June 6, according to the SCSO. The SCSO says Hardin was taken into custody by Izard County authorities just a short distance from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas. While many details will remain under investigation, there is no longer an active threat to public safety, the SCSO says. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement following Hardin's capture. '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,' Sanders said. '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.' Hardin is a former Police Chief in Gatewaym Arkansas. He had been incarcerated at the North Central Unit since 2017, where he was serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder and an additional sentence for rape. This is a developing story. More information will be updated as it becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Arkansas inmate escapee Grant Hardin captured, authorities confirm
CALICO ROCK, Ark. – Police in Mountain View and the Stone County Sheriff's Office confirmed that escaped inmate Grant Hardin has been captured. According to a social media post by the Mountain View Police, Hardin was captured by authorities on Friday afternoon. The Arkansas Department of Corrections said Hardin escaped from the Arkansas Department of Corrections North Central Unit in Calico Rock at approximately 2:25 p.m. on May 25. Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness confirmed that Hardin was captured 'about a mile' from the North Central Unit in the woods. 'I'm so proud of our Department staff and all the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for being steadfast as they always are,' Magness said. 'I'm appreciative of them dedicating their time and sacrificing all they did to ensure Mr. Hardin was recaptured and the community could feel safe.' Magness said that the specialized unit from the US Border Patrol Tactical Unit helped officials locate Hardin. '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,' Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. '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.' '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.' Hardin is a former Police Chief in Gateway and had been incarcerated at the North Central Unit since 2017. He was currently serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder and an additional sentence for rape. This is a developing story, please check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
FBI Offers $20,000 Reward for 'Armed and Dangerous' Prison Escapee
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is offering a $20,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of Grant Matthew Hardin, a man the FBI and local law enforcement have said should be considered armed and dangerous. Hardin's case has been highlighted by the FBI in their Case of the Week. He escaped from Calico Rock Prison in Arkansas on May 25 where he was serving a prison sentence for homicide and rape convictions. A red banner on the agency's Most Wanted page reads: "Should be considered armed and dangerous and an escape risk." Officials do not believe Hardin received inside help from prison employees at this time, according to ABC. Newsweek has contacted the Stone County Sheriff's Office for comment via its website. Grant Matthew Hardin, 56, who has escaped from a prison in Arkansas. Grant Matthew Hardin, 56, who has escaped from a prison in Arkansas. FBI Why It Matters Hardin's escape comes after another high-profile jail break occurred in New Orleans, where 10 prisoners managed to escape from the New Orleans Justice Center, raising questions about prison and jail security. What To Know Once a police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, Hardin gained the nickname "Devil in the Ozarks" for his conviction of murder in the 1st degree and rape. Hardin was found guilty of murder in connection with the shooting of Gateway Water Department worker James Appleton in 2017. He was then found guilty of the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher after police were able to use his DNA to match him to the scene, The Associated Press reported. According to an affidavit filed by Special Agent Dennis Simons of the Izard County Sheriff's Office, "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." Authorities told the press that the uniform was not official, but "homemade or brought in somehow." Grant Matthew Hardin escaping prison in a homemade guard uniform. Grant Matthew Hardin escaping prison in a homemade guard uniform. Stone County Sheriff's Office Gateway Mayor Cheryl Tilman, who is also Appleton's sister, described Hardin as an "evil man," to KHBS. And, former Benton County prosecutor, Nathan Smith, described him to the outlet as a "sociopath." What People Are Saying Stone County Sheriff Brandon Long told ABC News: "I am very scared that this guy is going to hurt or kill somebody before this is over with." Stone County Sheriff's Office, on Facebook: "Anyone with information about inmate Hardin's whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately. Hardin was serving time in prison for rape and murder. He is to be considered extremely dangerous and should not be approached." What Happens Next Hardin was serving 30 years in prison for 1st degree murder, and 50 years for rape. He is now facing second-degree escape charges as well. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact 911, the Stone County Sheriff's Office, or their local FBI office.
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Major manhunt after convicted killer cop escapes prison in police disguise
Officials say Grant Hardin, one of about 1,000 men housed at Calico Rock North Central Unit ion Arkansas, had been missing for 15 to 20 minutes before anyone noticed A former police chief convicted of murder and rape was today being hunted by his former colleagues after escaping prison dressed as cop. The manhunt began on Sunday afternoon, during a routine inmate count. Officials say Grant Hardin, one of about 1,000 men housed at Calico Rock North Central Unit, had been missing for 15 to 20 minutes before anyone noticed. According to the Stone County Sheriff's Office, he managed to exit the prison through a controlled gate while pushing a trolley of utility materials and wearing an outfit intended to resemble a police uniform. 'It has been determined that Hardin was wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement when he escaped the North Central Unit. "He was not wearing a Department of Corrections uniform, and all DOC-issued equipment has been accounted for,' said Rand Champion, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He added that the department is reviewing hours of surveillance footage, retracing Hardin's movements, and conducting interviews with staff. While there is video of Hardin exiting through the controlled gate, it remains unclear where and when he changed into the disguise or how he managed to move within the prison undetected. Complicating the search were adverse weather conditions. Heavy rainfall at the time of the escape significantly hampered officers' ability to deploy drones and scent-tracking dogs. 'It's hard for the dogs to pick up a scent, to put out a drone or helicopters,' Champion explained. 'It hindered our officers, but hopefully it hindered the escapee as well.' Given the time that has passed, officials say the search radius is expected to expand significantly. Hardin's history in Arkansas law enforcement spans several decades, though it is marred by controversy and misconduct. Since the 1990s, he had held numerous positions, including elected constable, but was repeatedly terminated for reasons ranging from excessive use of force to falsifying police reports. Despite his past, Hardin remained in various roles within law enforcement until his arrest in 2017. That year, he was arrested and charged with the murder of James Appleton, an employee of the Gateway water department. According to police affidavits, Appleton was driving a pickup truck and speaking on the phone with a relative when he was pulled over and shot in the head at point-blank range with a shotgun. Witnesses identified Hardin as the shooter. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, though he never provided a motive. While serving his sentence, a DNA match linked Hardin to an unsolved rape and kidnapping case dating back to 1997. Amy Harrison, an elementary school teacher in Rogers, Arkansas, was assaulted in her school building while preparing her classroom on a Sunday. She was raped at gunpoint in a restroom, even as a church service took place down the hall. DNA recovered from her clothing was preserved for years, ultimately matching Hardin after he entered the prison system. He pleaded guilty in 2018 and received an additional 50-year sentence. In the wake of the escape, police have set up roadblocks while checking every vehicle. Authorities fear that Hardin may attempt to steal a vehicle or take someone hostage in an effort to flee the area. 'I don't feel like he's got a whole lot of choice but to get a vehicle,' Stone County Sheriff Brandon Long said. 'Whether he just steals a vehicle or he takes someone hostage with the vehicle is our biggest fear.' Residents in the surrounding counties have been urged to remain vigilant, secure their homes and vehicles, and report any suspicious activity immediately. Law enforcement is warning the public not to approach Hardin if spotted.
Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Straits Times
Former US police chief, jailed for murder and rape, breaks out of prison
Grant Hardin, serving 80 years for his offences, was dressed in a fake police uniform when he escaped. PHOTOS: FACEBOOK/STONE COUNTY ARKSANSAS SHERIFF'S OFFICE Manhunt on after ex-US police chief, jailed for murder and rape, breaks out of high-security prison ARKANSAS - A manhunt entered its second night in northern Arkansas on May 26 after a former police chief convicted of first-degree murder and rape slipped out of a high-security prison, dressed in a fake law enforcement uniform. The search began on the afternoon of May 25, during a routine inmate count. Grant Hardin – one of about 1,000 housed at Calico Rock North Central Unit – had already been missing for 15 to 20 minutes before anyone noticed, officials say. Hardin, 56, who had previously served as the police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, escaped around 2.50pm, county officials said. He is considered extremely dangerous. An image released by the Stone County Sheriff's Office on its Facebook page shows what it says is Hardin wearing clothes similar to a law enforcement uniform, escaping through a controlled gate while pushing a cart of utility materials. 'It has been determined that Hardin was wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement when he escaped the North Central Unit. He was not wearing a Department of Corrections uniform, and all DOC-issued equipment has been accounted for,' Mr Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Corrections (DOC), said in a statement. Mr Champion said the agency is conducting interviews, retracing steps and reviewing hours of surveillance. There is video footage of Hardin leaving through the controlled gate but nothing showing how or when he put on the makeshift uniform, Mr Champion said. It also remains unclear how far he navigated through the prison in the uniform. When Hardin left the facility, it was raining heavily, which officials say made it difficult for officers and tracking dogs to pursue him. 'It's hard for the dogs to pick up a scent, to put out a drone or helicopters,' Mr Champion said. 'It hindered our officers, but hopefully it hindered the escapee as well.' Mr Champion said he expects the search for Hardin to continue to widen given the amount of time that has passed since his escape. Hardin was briefly the police chief in Gateway, a small town near the Missouri border. He held several other law enforcement positions in the state beginning in the 1990s, including as an elected constable, according to public records and local news reports. He was terminated multiple times, and was trailed by reports of using excessive force, poor performance and, in one instance, falsifying a police report, according to local news media. In 2017, Hardin was arrested and charged with shooting James Appleton just outside Gateway, where Mr Appleton worked in the water department. According to the police affidavit, Mr Appleton was pulled over in a pick-up truck while he was on the phone with his brother-in-law, then was shot in the head at point-blank range with a shotgun. Witnesses identified the shooter as Hardin, who was arrested and pleaded guilty not long after, but he did not offer a motive. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison. While Hardin was in prison, his DNA was tied to an unsolved rape case from more than 20 years earlier. According to an affidavit filed in that case, Amy Harrison, an elementary schoolteacher in Rogers, Arkansas, had arrived at her classroom on Nov 9, 1997, a Sunday, to prepare for the week. When leaving the teachers' restroom, she was confronted by a man who pointed a gun at her and raped her. The attack occurred around the same time as a community church service was happening down the hall. Investigators were not able to identify a suspect at the time, but they obtained DNA evidence from Ms Harrison's clothing. After Hardin entered the prison system, he was found to be a match for the DNA. He pleaded guilty to rape and kidnapping in 2018, and was sentenced to an additional 50 years in prison. Law enforcement officials described Hardin as 'extremely dangerous' and warned residents not to approach him if they see him. Roadblocks were in place between Stone and Izard counties, where officials suspected Hardin might flee, and passengers were being checked in every car, according to local news reports. 'I don't feel like he's got a whole lot of choice but to get a vehicle,' Stone County Sheriff Brandon Long said in an interview with local CBS affiliate, 5NEWS. 'Whether he just steals a vehicle or he take someone hostage with the vehicle is our biggest fear.' NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
