Law enforcement officials in the Ozark Mountains are on a mission to capture a convicted former police chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks.” Grant Hardin, 56, managed to escape from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas, where he was serving time for murder and rape. Hardin, a former police chief in the small town of Gateway, near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was able to flee by impersonating an officer and wearing a uniform that allowed him to walk out of the prison facility undetected.
The search for Hardin has been ongoing for three days, with authorities focusing on the rugged terrain of the Ozark Mountains. The area is known for its numerous caves and hidden spots, making it a challenging task for the search team. Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are utilizing canines, drones, and helicopters to scour the region for any signs of the fugitive.
One of the main concerns for the search team is the vast number of caves in the area. The Ozarks are known for being cave-dense, with nearly 2,000 documented caves in northern Arkansas alone. These caves provide ample hiding spots for someone like Hardin, who is familiar with the terrain and knows where to seek shelter. However, finding the entrance to these caves can be tricky, as many are small and inconspicuous.
The rugged terrain of the Ozarks is reminiscent of another notorious manhunt in US history, the search for bomber Eric Rudolph in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Rudolph, a skilled outdoorsman, managed to evade law enforcement for years by hiding in cabins and caves in the area. It wasn’t until a five-year manhunt that he was finally captured in 2003.
Hardin’s past as a law enforcement officer has been checkered with incidents of excessive force and misconduct. He was let go from multiple police departments due to not meeting standards and resigning under questionable circumstances. His criminal record includes a first-degree murder conviction for the killing of James Appleton and a 50-year sentence for the rape of an elementary school teacher.
As the search for Hardin continues in the Ozark Mountains, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities. The challenging terrain and abundance of hiding spots make capturing Hardin a difficult task, but law enforcement officials are determined to bring him to justice.
