Grant Hardin, the former police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, has escaped from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock after serving sentences for rape and first-degree murder. Hardin, 56, fled on May 25 by disguising himself in a makeshift law enforcement uniform, misleading officers long enough to execute his escape. Authorities reported that he was only missing for about 20 minutes before his absence was noticed.
Hardin’s criminal history includes a 2017 conviction for the murder of James Appleton, the brother-in-law of Gateway’s mayor, and a 2019 sentence for rape. His background in law enforcement is a point of concern for authorities, who consider him “extremely dangerous.” As police, K-9 units, and the Arkansas Department of Corrections intensify their search efforts, they face challenges due to inclement weather.
This incident follows a similar escape earlier this month in New Orleans, involving ten inmates breaking free from jail, alluding to broader issues of security in incarceration facilities. Several individuals have been arrested in connection with that escape, with Louisiana’s Attorney General vowing to prosecute anyone involved.
The search for Hardin continues, as law enforcement agencies employ various strategies to locate him. His escape marks a significant security breach, raising alarms in both communities connected to his past and within the corrections system. Authorities are investigating how he managed to leave the secure facility undetected and what led to the apparent lapse in security protocols. The developments underscore ongoing concerns regarding prisoner management and the potential risks posed by escaped inmates.
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