A convicted ex-police chief from Arkansas, serving time for both first-degree murder and rape, pulled off a shocking prison break on Sunday, escaping while dressed in a fake law enforcement uniform, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Grant Hardin, 56, who once led the Gateway Police Department, escaped around 3:40 p.m. from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock. As of late Sunday, law enforcement officials were still actively hunting for the fugitive.
On Monday, Corrections Department spokesperson Rand Champion provided updates during an interview with KAIT News (Jonesboro). He revealed that the search operation is using tracking dogs, drones, and various other tools. However, he also noted that the rainy weather has made the pursuit more difficult.
Adding another layer of complexity is Hardin’s law enforcement background. Champion emphasized that Hardin’s training gives him an advantage, as he likely understands search protocols and investigative tactics used by officers. “That insider knowledge makes him harder to catch,” Champion stated.
Despite the challenges, investigators believe Hardin remains close to the facility. Champion mentioned that officials have gathered strong information, leading them to think he hasn’t traveled far from where he escaped.
Although the specific method of his escape hasn’t been fully revealed, officials confirmed Hardin was not wearing any official Department of Corrections clothing. Instead, he created a homemade outfit resembling a law enforcement uniform to deceive staff and walk out of the prison.
“It wasn’t issued by us,” Champion clarified. “It wasn’t standard inmate gear or a corrections officer uniform—it was something he assembled on his own to pose as an officer.” Investigators are now trying to figure out how he accessed the materials used to put together the disguise.
Hardin is currently serving a 30-year sentence for murder, alongside a 50-year term for rape, both stemming from separate cases. Authorities stress that he is considered highly dangerous and the public should not attempt to approach him under any circumstances.
The murder case dates back to 2017, when Hardin admitted to killing James Appleton, a city employee from Gateway. Appleton was shot and killed while speaking with his brother-in-law, then-Mayor Andrew Tillman, as he sat in his vehicle. Hardin, who had briefly been Gateway’s police chief the year prior, was arrested and pleaded guilty.
The following year, in 2018, DNA evidence connected him to a 1997 rape case involving Amy Harrison, a school teacher attacked at Frank Tillery Elementary. Hardin again pleaded guilty and received a second lengthy prison term.
In addition to his short tenure as police chief, Hardin had previously worked as a police officer, county constable, and corrections officer, roles that have now become key factors in his ability to stage such a calculated escape.
The Department of Corrections, along with the Division of Community Corrections, Arkansas State Police, and federal agencies, are all coordinating efforts to locate Hardin. Their joint operation includes both tracking the fugitive and reviewing how the escape was carried out.
“Authorities are utilizing every available resource to locate Hardin and understand the events that led to his breakout,” the department said in a statement. Officials are also investigating whether anyone may have helped him, either inside or outside the facility.
Anyone with credible tips on Hardin’s whereabouts is urged to contact local law enforcement immediately. The case has not only rattled the prison system but also raised concerns about how someone with law enforcement training could exploit that experience from behind bars.
Description:
"Former Arkansas police chief Grant Hardin escapes prison in a fake cop uniform. Serving time for murder and rape, he's now the target of a multi-agency manhunt. Authorities warn he's extremely dangerous."