Ex-Police Chief Killed a Man and Raped a Teacher — and Just Escaped Prison in a Cop Uniform

Arkansas officials are searching for a former police chief convicted of murder and rape who escaped from prison in a makeshift law enforcement uniform.

Grant Hardin, 56, who has been held at North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Ark., since 2017, escaped from the prison around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, according to a statement from the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

Hardin was serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder and an additional sentence for rape, per the statement. He was the former police chief for the city of Gateway. Inmate records show Hardin is 6 feet tall and weighs 259 lbs.

While officials are investigating what led to Hardin’s escape, the DOC said in a Sunday night update that he was wearing “a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement.” Officials confirmed he was not wearing a DOC uniform and said that all DOC-issued equipment had been accounted for.

The Stone County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that Hardin should be considered “extremely dangerous and should not be approached.”

Hardin pleaded guilty in 2017 to murder after fatally shooting 59-year-old James Appleton, who worked in the city of Gateway’s water department, according to an affidavit cited by CBS News, 5News, and The New York Times. 

The affidavit states Hardin murdered Appleton in February 2017 after pulling up to his parked car and shooting him through the window while the victim was on the phone, the Times reported. A motive remains unknown.

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While serving his 30-year murder sentence, Hardin also pleaded guilty to the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, Ark., 5 News reported. Hardin was tied to the long-unsolved crime after authorities linked him to DNA taken from the victim’s clothes, authorities said, per the outlet.

According to authorities, the victim said Hardin pointed a gun at her and raped her after she exited the school restroom, the Times reported.

Hardin’s whereabouts remain unknown as of 11:30 p.m. on Sunday. Authorities have yet to provide an update on the morning of Monday, May 26. Anyone with information on Hardin is asked to call 911 immediately.