A former small-town police chief in Arkansas escaped from prison Sunday while serving decades-long prison sentences for murder and rape and is still on the loose, officials said. Grant Hardin, 56, escaped from a state prison in northern Arkansas on Sunday afternoon, after he appears to have tried to imitate law enforcement to break out, the state’s Department of Corrections said. Multiple agencies across the state, including state police and several sheriff’s offices, are coordinating to try to find Hardin. The escape comes after 10 inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail a little over a week ago. While seven people have been charged in relation to that escape, it is not immediately clear how Hardin orchestrated his. Here is what we know about the former police chief: How he escaped Hardin escaped the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock around 3:40 p.m. Sunday, a news release from the state’s Department of Corrections said. It appears at the time of his escape, Hardin was “wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement,” but was not wearing a Department of Corrections uniform, a Sunday night update from the department said. It did not share any other information on how he is thought to have escaped. A surveillance image appears to show Hardin wearing black pants, a black T-shirt and a black baseball cap, as well as an additional item that looks like a bulletproof vest. He appears to be wheeling a cart holding a box and several pieces of wood. Authorities believe he exited through a sally port, a controlled and secure entry point found in places such as prisons, the Stone County Sheriff’s office said. Hardin, who’s been in prison since 2017, was previously the police chief for the small town of Gateway near the Missouri border, with additional background in law enforcement. He served as a police officer, a police chief and a county constable throughout his career, according to an Investigation Discovery documentary on the case. (Investigation Discovery, like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.) What he is in prison for Hardin has been serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder, as well as two 25-year sentences for two counts of rape, according to Arkansas prison records and court documents. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for the death of James Appleton, who worked for the City of Gateway’s water department, in February 2017, according to court documents. Hardin was accused of stopping and shooting Appleton in the head while driving down a road approximately half a mile from his home, documents show. He pleaded down from a capital murder charge. At the time of his sentencing, Hardin addressed the family of the victim while entering his guilty plea, saying he didn’t know how to express it, but that he was sorry, CNN affiliate KHBS reported. Two years later, he also pleaded guilty to two counts of rape after his DNA, which was entered into the Arkansas DNA database following his murder plea, was connected to the 1997 rape of schoolteacher Amy Harrison, court documents show. Harrison was at the school on a Sunday preparing for the week while a church service was being held in the cafeteria, an affidavit said. She used the bathroom in the teacher’s lounge, and when she came out, she was attacked by a man pointing a gun at her, the document said. Documents show Hardin was frustrated with his court-appointed attorney following his guilty plea in the murder case, saying he had wanted to withdraw his plea and had a difficult time accessing resources to submit for post-conviction relief, court documents show. The attorney, Shane Wilkinson, told CNN he has been in contact with local law enforcement and hasn’t heard from Hardin since his escape. Police have been conducting safety checks on his home and business since the escape, he added. While in prison in 2019, Hardin completed a program on anger management, prison records show. The search for Hardin As of 11:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, Hardin still hasn’t been located, the Arkansas Department of Corrections said in an updated news release. CNN has reached out to the department and Arkansas State Police for a status on the search. “Officials continue to utilize a variety of means to track Hardin, as well as investigating the events that led up to his escape,” the Department of Corrections said Sunday night. “Further updates will be provided as they become available.” No updates have been provided since Sunday night. Hardin is 6 feet tall and approximately 259 pounds, prison records show. Authorities have asked anyone who has information on his location to contact local law enforcement immediately.
A former police chief serving time for murder and rape escaped from an Arkansas prison. Here is what we know
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"Former Arkansas Police Chief Serving Time for Murder and Rape Escapes from Prison"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Grant Hardin, a former police chief in Arkansas, has escaped from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock while serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape. At the age of 56, Hardin was sentenced to 30 years for first-degree murder and two consecutive 25-year sentences for two counts of rape. His escape occurred on a Sunday afternoon, and authorities believe he may have used a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement to facilitate his getaway. Surveillance footage captured Hardin wearing black pants, a black T-shirt, and a baseball cap, while appearing to wheel a cart that contained a box and pieces of wood. The escape has prompted a coordinated search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including state police and local sheriff’s offices, as they work diligently to locate Hardin, who remains at large as of late Sunday evening.
Hardin's criminal history is particularly disturbing. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in February 2017 for the shooting death of James Appleton, a local water department worker, after initially facing capital murder charges. Additionally, he was linked to a 1997 rape case through DNA evidence, which led to his guilty pleas for two counts of rape. Following his convictions, Hardin expressed regret during his court proceedings, indicating he struggled with his court-appointed attorney and sought to withdraw his plea. After his escape, police have been conducting safety checks at his known residences and businesses. As the search continues, officials are utilizing various methods to track Hardin, and they have urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately. Hardin is described as 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 259 pounds.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent escape of a former police chief from an Arkansas prison has raised significant concerns and questions about security and law enforcement. Grant Hardin, serving sentences for serious crimes, including murder and rape, managed to break out while impersonating law enforcement. This incident not only highlights weakness in prison security but also prompts a broader examination of the implications for public safety and community trust.
Public Perception and Community Impact
The escape of Hardin, a former police chief, is likely to instill fear and anxiety within the community. The fact that someone who once held a position of authority in law enforcement is now a fugitive adds layers of complexity to the public's trust in law enforcement. Citizens may feel that if a police chief can commit such heinous acts and later escape, their safety could be compromised. The narrative around his escape may also fuel skepticism about the effectiveness of the prison system and its ability to rehabilitate or contain violent offenders.
Potential Distractions from Other Issues
The focus on Hardin's escape might serve as a distraction from other pressing issues within the state or country, such as ongoing discussions about criminal justice reform or police accountability. By emphasizing a singular alarming event, the media might inadvertently divert public attention from broader systemic problems that require attention and action.
Comparative Context
This incident follows closely on the heels of another jailbreak in New Orleans, which could suggest a trend or pattern in prison security failures. This connection could imply that there are larger systemic issues at play, such as budget cuts or policy changes that have compromised prison security. The juxtaposition of these events may evoke a sense of urgency for reforms in correctional facilities.
Implications for Society and Economy
The escape could have far-reaching consequences for local law enforcement budgets and operations. Increased patrols and investigations to recapture Hardin will likely strain resources. Furthermore, if the escape leads to increased crime or fear in the community, it could impact local businesses and economic stability, as residents may feel unsafe or choose to limit their activities.
Target Audience and Community Response
The article appeals primarily to communities concerned about crime and public safety. It speaks to those who might be wary of authority figures, especially in the law enforcement sector. The sensational nature of the story may attract readers who have an interest in crime stories or local news, amplifying the voices of those who feel let down by the justice system.
Market and Economic Influence
While this specific incident may not directly impact stock markets or financial sectors, it may contribute to a broader conversation about the privatization of prisons and law enforcement funding. Companies involved in security technology or prison services might observe shifts in public sentiment that could influence their market position.
Global Context and Relevance
The implications of an escaped prisoner, especially one with a law enforcement background, resonate beyond local news. It touches upon global conversations about crime, punishment, and the efficacy of justice systems worldwide. The incident can serve as a case study in discussions about the moral responsibilities of law enforcement and the societal implications of crime.
The writing style of the article, which is straightforward and focused on the facts of the escape, does not strongly indicate the use of artificial intelligence. However, AI could have been used in data analysis to construct a narrative based on the facts presented. The framing of the story is likely aimed at evoking emotional responses from readers, emphasizing the shock of a police chief committing serious crimes and then escaping.
In conclusion, the article serves to inform the public about a significant security breach while simultaneously shaping narratives around trust in law enforcement and the effectiveness of the correctional system.