Notorious 'Devil in the Ozarks' finally caught after weeks-long manhunt that drew multiple agencies
Convicted murderer Grant Hardin captured just over a mile from prison he escaped using fake uniform
By Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Brooke Taylor
Fox News
Jun 6, 2025
Escapee Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and rapist who sparked a multi-agency manhunt after fleeing custody last month, has been captured.
Nicknamed the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hardin was apprehended this afternoon approximately 1.5 miles north-northwest of the North Central Unit prison facility from which he escaped on May 25, the Izard County Sheriff’s Office said.
Hardin’s identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis prior to the department's announcement of his long-awaited capture.
Officials said that he was taken into custody without incident, ending a weeks-long manhunt that had drawn in local law enforcement, state police, federal agencies, and elite tactical units. The capture of the fugitive came after authorities focused their search in the rugged, remote terrain surrounding the prison grounds.
The Arkansas Department of Correction said that Hardin's eventual capture was a joint effort by Arkansas law enforcement officers and the U.S. Border Patrol near Moccasin Creek. Tracking dogs were able to pick up a scent in the area, and Hardin was apprehended a short time later, they said.
"Thanks to the great work of local, state and federal law enforcement, Arkansans can breathe a sigh of relief and I can confirm that violent criminal Grant Hardin is back in custody," said Governor Sarah Sanders. "I am grateful for all law enforcement who contributed to his capture and give special thanks to the Trump administration and Secretary Kristi Noem, who sent a team from Border Patrol that was instrumental in tracking and apprehending Hardin."
Sources told Fox News that Hardin appeared malnourished when he was apprehended.
ADC shared a new photo of Grant Hardin on Tuesday showing him with facial hair since he has been on the sun for over a week.
Hardin, 56, was serving an 80-year sentence for the 2017 murder of James Appleton and a previously unsolved 1997 rape case.
Hardin escaped prison through a sally port, wearing a makeshift ADC-style uniform, ADC communications director Rand Champion said last week, noting the uniform he was wearing was not official.
Following his escape at approximately 2:55 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, federal and local law enforcement tirelessness searched for the ex-police chief.
"I’m incredibly appreciative to all of our dedicated law enforcement agencies that spent countless hours, both day and night, sacrificing their time, utilizing their resources and lending their invaluable expertise to this search," said Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace. "To every one of our Department staff that assisted in this manhunt over the last 13 days, I give my heartfelt thank you for your immeasurable contributions to bring this search to a peaceful conclusion."
Hardin escaped prison through a sally sport, wearing a makeshift ADC-style uniform, ADC communications director Rand Champion said last week, noting the uniform he was wearing was not official.
In a statement, the Izard County Sheriff’s Office thanked the public and the law enforcement community for their ongoing support and vigilance during the manhunt.
"We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the community for all law enforcement personnel involved in this operation," the department said.
Officials have not yet released further details regarding how Hardin was
located or whether he received any outside assistance during his
escape. Investigations into the security breach remain ongoing.
2 comments:
Too bad the coyotes didn't get his happy ass.
If an escaped prisoner does not have $, transportation or an unknown network of persons to assist his escape he will be captured. He will only be found hungry and tired.
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