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Police chief Grant Hardin caught after escaping Arkansas prison Police chief Grant Hardin caught after escaping Arkansas prison
(about 16 hours later)
Arkansas Department of Corrections shared a photo of Hardin after he was re-capturedArkansas Department of Corrections shared a photo of Hardin after he was re-captured
A former Arkansas police chief convicted of rape and murder has been caught by authorities nearly two weeks after he escaped from prison.A former Arkansas police chief convicted of rape and murder has been caught by authorities nearly two weeks after he escaped from prison.
Grant Hardin was caught only 1.5 miles (2.5km) from the prison. Authorities say he was wearing a disguise to appear as if he was a law enforcement officer when he broke out. Grant Hardin was captured only 1.5 miles (2.5km) from the prison. He tried to run from officers, but was quickly tackled to the ground, a spokesperson for the Arkansas prison system said.
His identity was confirmed by fingerprint analysis after he was re-captured, according to the Izard County Sheriff's Office in northern Arkansas. His identity was confirmed by fingerprint analysis after he was apprehended, according to the Izard County Sheriff's Office in northern Arkansas.
Hardin escaped from prison on 25 May by "wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement", according to officials. The escape came as he was serving a 30-year prison term for murder and 50-year term for rape. Hardin escaped from prison on 25 May by "wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement", according to officials. He is serving a 30-year prison term for murder and 50-year term for rape.
Officials say he was taken into custody around 15:45 local time on Friday. Officials say he was taken into custody at around 15:45 local time on Friday.
"We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the community for all law enforcement and Department of Corrections personnel involved in this operation," the sheriff's office said in a statement."We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the community for all law enforcement and Department of Corrections personnel involved in this operation," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
According to the Arkansas Department of Corrections, he was caught after tracking dogs picked up his scent near Moccasin Creek in Izard County. Officers encountered Hardin after tracking dogs picked up his scent near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
"He'd been on the run for a week and a half and probably didn't have any energy left in him," Rand Champion said.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that residents "can breathe a sigh of relief" now that he's been caught.Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that residents "can breathe a sigh of relief" now that he's been caught.
She went on to thank federal law enforcement officials that aided in the search, and thanked the Department of Homeland Security for sending Border Patrol agents.She went on to thank federal law enforcement officials that aided in the search, and thanked the Department of Homeland Security for sending Border Patrol agents.
The former police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, had been nicknamed the "Devil in the Ozarks" following his convictions.The former police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, had been nicknamed the "Devil in the Ozarks" following his convictions.
Hardin pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after fatally shooting 59-year-old James Appleton in 2017. He was given a 30 year prison sentence. Hardin pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after fatally shooting 59-year-old James Appleton in 2017. He was given a 30-year prison sentence.
Mr Appleton worked in the city's water department. He was shot and killed while speaking to his brother-in-law, then-Gateway Mayor Andrew Tillman, on 23 February 2017.Mr Appleton worked in the city's water department. He was shot and killed while speaking to his brother-in-law, then-Gateway Mayor Andrew Tillman, on 23 February 2017.
While serving time for Mr Appleton's murder, DNA evidence emerged linking Hardin to the long unsolved rape of Amy Harrison at Frank Tillery Elementary School in Rogers, Arkansas, in November 1997. While serving time for Mr Appleton's murder, DNA evidence emerged linking Hardin to the long unsolved rape of a 27-year-old teacher at Frank Tillery Elementary School in Rogers, Arkansas, in November 1997.
Hardin pleaded guilty, and received a sentence of 50 years.Hardin pleaded guilty, and received a sentence of 50 years.
Before becoming Gateway's police chief, Hardin served as an officer at the Eureka Springs Police Department.Before becoming Gateway's police chief, Hardin served as an officer at the Eureka Springs Police Department.
His arrest comes one day after an elite Border Patrol unit was sent in to search the mountainous terrain known for its extensive cave system.His arrest comes one day after an elite Border Patrol unit was sent in to search the mountainous terrain known for its extensive cave system.
The Border Patrol Tactical Team (Bortac) was deployed from the Texas border, the agency announced on Thursday. The Border Patrol Tactical Team was deployed from the Texas border, the agency said.
In a statement, Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez said the team's "unique capabilities and training are well-suited for the demands of this critical mission".In a statement, Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez said the team's "unique capabilities and training are well-suited for the demands of this critical mission".