- Grant Hardin, former Arkansas police chief, escaped prison while serving long sentences for murder and rape.
- DNA evidence helped convict Hardin for a 1997 rape case years after the crime.
- Authorities are actively searching with local and federal agencies to find and capture him.
Former Police Chief Grant Hardin Escapes From Arkansas Prison
Grant Hardin, a former police chief in Arkansas, escaped from prison on Sunday. He serves long sentences for serious crimes. Officials from the state corrections department confirmed the escape but did not explain how Hardin managed to get away. The escape happened at the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, where Hardin has been held since 2017. Authorities are now working with local, state, and federal law enforcement to find him. They follow every lead in the search to bring him back.
Hardin’s Role As Police Chief And His Criminal Past
Hardin worked as the police chief in the small town of Gateway, near the Arkansas-Missouri border. He held this position for only about four months in early 2016. Despite his role in law enforcement, Hardin committed serious crimes. He pleaded guilty in October 2017 to first-degree murder for killing 59-year-old James Appleton. Appleton worked for the Gateway water department. Police found his body inside a car after he was shot in the head near the town of Garfield. Appleton was talking with his brother-in-law, who is also the Gateway mayor, just before the shooting. Hardin also faces a 50-year prison sentence for the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, Arkansas. This case remained unsolved for years until new DNA evidence linked Hardin to the crime.
How DNA Evidence Led To Hardin’s Conviction
Investigators used DNA technology to connect Hardin to the 1997 rape. Police collected DNA samples from the crime scene back then. In 2003, they applied for a John Doe warrant as the statute of limitations was about to expire. Officers compared these old DNA samples to new profiles collected over the years. They finally found a match after Hardin went to prison for the 2017 murder. This key evidence helped prosecutors secure a 50-year sentence for Hardin’s earlier crime. The use of DNA was crucial in solving this cold case, showing how forensic science can bring justice years later.
Authorities Work Together To Track Down Hardin
After Hardin’s escape, the Arkansas Division of Correction and the Division of Community Correction joined forces. They collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies at every level. These include local police, state troopers, and federal investigators. They continue to gather information and follow all possible leads. Officials urge anyone with information about Hardin’s whereabouts to come forward. The search remains active and intense because Hardin’s crimes are severe, and he poses a risk to public safety. Law enforcement will keep working until they capture him again.
Summary Of The Escape And Hardin’s Crimes
Grant Hardin, once a small-town police chief, escaped prison while serving decades-long sentences for murder and rape. He killed a man named James Appleton in 2017 and raped a school teacher in 1997. Hardin’s crimes shocked the community, especially because he held a law enforcement position. DNA evidence played a major role in linking him to the rape years after it happened. The state corrections department and multiple law agencies now search for him actively. They work nonstop to protect the public and recapture Hardin. If you see or hear anything about Hardin, call the police immediately. Your tip could help end this dangerous man’s escape.
