Latest news with #intheOzarks
International Business Times
07-06-2025
- 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.
Toronto Star
03-06-2025
- General
- Toronto Star
Arkansas authorities release photo rendering of ‘Devil in the Ozarks' as manhunt continues
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas authorities on Tuesday released a photo rendering of a convicted murderer and former police chief known as the 'Devil in the Ozarks ' as the search for the escaped inmate entered its second week. The Arkansas Department of Corrections said the photo rendering of Grant Hardin, 56, depicts how he may look after he escaped May 25 from the Calico Rock prison. The rendering shows Hardin with some hair on his head and face.
Epoch Times
01-06-2025
- Epoch Times
Caves, Other Hideouts in Mountains Are Part of Hunt for Fugitive Known as ‘Devil in the Ozarks'
There are plenty of hideouts in the rugged terrain of the Ozark Mountains, from abandoned cabins and campsites in vast forests where searchers are hunting for an ex-lawman known as the 'Devil in the Ozarks.' Others are not only off the grid but beneath it, in the hundreds of caves that lead to vast subterranean spaces.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- 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
Newsweek
30-05-2025
- Newsweek
Search for Escaped Former Police Chief Escalates as FBI Offers $10,000 Reward
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 FBI has offered a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of Grant Hardin, a former police chief who escaped from an Arkansas prison on Sunday. The Department of Justice said it was supporting Arkansas authorities in the search for Hardin, who was convicted of first-degree murder and rape, after he fled the North Central Unit prison near Calico Rock. The Context In October 2017, Grant Matthew Hardin pleaded guilty to a first-degree murder charge in connection with the shooting of James Appleton, who was found dead inside his car. He received a 30-year sentence. The former police chief was also sentenced to 50 years for the rape of an Arkansas elementary school teacher in 1997. His crimes earned him the nickname "Devil in the Ozarks" in a 2023 documentary. What To Know In an update on the search, which began on Sunday, authorities in Arkansas said the FBI had issued a $10,000 reward for anyone who had information that could lead to Hardin's arrest. "This morning, the FBI, Department of Corrections, Arkansas State Police, and Department of Justice have announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of escaped inmate Grant Matthew Hardin," Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Corrections, told Newsweek. "Hardin escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on Sunday, May 25. An arrest warrant was issued for Hardin on May 26 by the Circuit Court of Izard County after he was charged with second-degree escape," Champion continued. Anyone with information concerning Hardin should "contact the FBI's toll-free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). You may also contact your local FBI office, local law enforcement, or submit tips online at A poster of Grant Matthew Hardin, who escaped from prison in Arkansas on May 25. A poster of Grant Matthew Hardin, who escaped from prison in Arkansas on May 25. FBI Hardin escaped from prison by wearing clothing that made him look like a member of staff rather than a prisoner, an investigation of his escape found. Hardin has since been charged with second-degree escape, which carries a minimum jail sentence of nine months. Hardin previously served as the police chief of Gateway, a city to the north of Fayetteville on the state line with Missouri. Locals fear that his knowledge of the area means authorities may find it harder to locate him. Officials said the cave system in the Ozark Mountains was a point of focus for the search effort. Arkansas residents described Hardin as "very, very smart" and someone who "knows where the caves are" in the region. What People Are Saying Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Corrections, said: "That's one of the challenges of this area—there are a lot of places to hide and take shelter, a lot of abandoned sheds, and there are a lot of caves in this area, so that's been a priority for the search team." In its initial statement about Grant Hardin's escape, the Department of Corrections said: "On Sunday, May 25, at approximately 3:40 p.m., inmate Grant Hardin, escaped from the North Central Unit. Anyone with information about inmate Hardin's whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately. The Division of Correction and the Division of Community Correction are working with local, state and federal law enforcement to follow leads. "Hardin has been at the North Central Unit since 2017, serving a 30-year sentence for first degree murder, as well as an additional sentence for rape. Hardin was the former police chief for the city of Gateway with a background in law enforcement." What Happens Next Anyone with information on Hardin's movements is encouraged to contact the FBI.
