Manhunt Underway After Former Police Chief Escapes Prison in Calico Rock While Serving Time for Murder and Rape
A Shocking Escape from Calico Rock Prison
An intense manhunt is underway in Arkansas after a former police chief, convicted of both murder and rape, escaped from a state prison facility. The fugitive, Grant Hardin, previously served as the police chief in the small town of Gateway, Arkansas, located near the Missouri border.
On Sunday, Hardin managed to flee from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, where he had been incarcerated since 2017. Authorities revealed that the escape was carried out with disturbing precision—Hardin disguised himself to look like a law enforcement officer, wearing a makeshift uniform to blend in and deceive prison staff.
No Details on the Escape Method
While the Arkansas Division of Correction confirmed the escape, specific details about how Hardin managed to break out of the facility have not been released. The fact that he was able to impersonate an officer has raised serious concerns about prison security measures.
Law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels have joined forces in the effort to track down the escaped inmate. Authorities are following multiple leads and are urging the public to stay alert, as Hardin is considered dangerous.
From Police Chief to Convicted Murderer
Hardin’s fall from grace began with a chilling crime in early 2017. He was charged with the first-degree murder of James Appleton, a 59-year-old employee of the Gateway water department.
On February 23, 2017, Appleton was found shot in the head inside a vehicle near the town of Garfield, Arkansas. According to investigators, he had been speaking with his brother-in-law, who was the mayor of Gateway at the time, shortly before the attack. Hardin later pleaded guilty to the murder in October 2017 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Cold Case Rape Solved Through DNA Match
As shocking as the murder case was, it unearthed an even older and long-unsolved crime. During the murder investigation, authorities collected Hardin’s DNA, which matched evidence from a 1997 rape case involving an elementary school teacher in Rogers, Arkansas, near Fayetteville.
For decades, the case had remained unsolved, with no suspects identified. However, the DNA breakthrough led to Hardin being charged with rape. He ultimately pleaded guilty in 2019 while already serving time for the murder and received an additional 50-year sentence.
Community in Shock as Authorities Hunt for Escapee
The news of Hardin’s escape has sent shockwaves through communities in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. As someone who once wore the badge of law enforcement, his crimes—and now his escape—have shaken public trust and safety.
Officials have warned that Hardin should be considered dangerous and should not be approached. They are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward immediately.
This high-profile escape not only raises urgent security concerns within Arkansas’s correctional system but also serves as a chilling reminder of how those entrusted with public safety can sometimes commit the most grievous crimes.
As the search continues, many are left wondering how such an individual was able to execute a plan so bold, and how soon authorities will be able to bring him back into custody. The manhunt is ongoing, and updates are expected as the situation develops.