U.S. authorities have launched a search in the rugged Ozark Mountains of Arkansas to recapture Grant Harin. The former police chief and convicted murderer, popularly known as the 'Devil of the Ozarks', escaped from prison this Sunday. He managed to flee the penitentiary by posing as a control guard.
Hardin was serving long sentences for murder and rape at the North Central Unit. According to court documents, he "posed as a corrections officer in his manner of dress and behavior", fooling one of the officials who facilitated his exit from the facility. Staff members claim he wore an "improvised outfit designed to mimic law enforcement uniforms."
Arkansas Department of Corrections spokesperson Rand Champion stated that "that was not a standard inmate uniform, nor a standard corrections uniform." He mentioned that an investigation is underway to clarify "how he obtained or fabricated it".
Grant Hardin was convicted in October 2017 for the firearm murder of 59-year-old James Appleton. He committed the crime in February 2017, facing a 30-year prison sentence. Additionally, Hardin is serving a 50-year sentence for the rape of a primary school teacher in 1997.
The news of the escape has reignited the pain of the affected families. "We were at his trial when all this happened, and he saw us there," clarified Cheryl Tillman, James Appleton's sister. As she told The Associated Press, she was not surprised by the escape news, as "he is simply an evil man".
Law enforcement is utilizing all available resources in the search: trained dogs, drones, and helicopters. At times, the efforts have been hindered by heavy rains in the area, which continue to expand over time.
Experts point out that it is a "very rocky area", presenting significant challenges for both the fugitive and law enforcement. Retired U.S. Marshals Service inspector Craig Craine suggested that the rural area is not an advantage for the fugitive. "At some point, he will run out of supplies," he stated, emphasizing that the search is facilitated by "most people knowing each other" in such rural areas. He added, "this aspect could be detrimental to him."
The owner of a nearby local café who has known Hardin since childhood, Drala Nix, described the fugitive as "a very intelligent" and "resourceful" man. "He knows where the caves are, and he knows how to get by," anticipated the hostess, highlighting the added difficulty of the area's terrain.
Izard County Sheriff Charley Melton and other local authorities have urged the population to lock their homes and vehicles and to call the emergency number if they suspect anything.