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A notorious figure in Arkansas' criminal history, Grant Hardin, a former police chief and convicted murderer known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," has been recaptured by authorities. Hardin was found just 1.5 miles from the Calico Rock prison, which he had escaped from after a massive manhunt stretched nearly two weeks.

Hardin, who once served as the police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, had been serving long sentences for murder and rape. His notoriety was so pronounced that it inspired a TV documentary titled "Devil in the Ozarks." When officers approached him on Friday afternoon, Hardin attempted to flee but was quickly subdued. Rand Champion, spokesperson for the Arkansas prison system, noted Hardin's apparent exhaustion from his days on the run. His identity was later confirmed through fingerprinting.

Investigators are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to question Hardin. "Chomping at the bit and really ready to talk to him," Champion remarked, capturing the brief moment Hardin was escorted away by officers. Following his escape, Hardin had managed to leave the prison by impersonating a corrections officer, a lapse in security caught under investigation.

Authorities utilized various resources, including bloodhounds, drones, and helicopters, to track Hardin. The search faced complications, particularly when rain washed away his scent. Recently, a highly trained U.S. Border Patrol team had joined the effort, leveraging advanced search techniques to navigate the challenging terrain.

On Friday, a Facebook post by U.S. Customs and Border Protection displayed images of Hardin, shirtless and covered in mud, confirming that he had been handed over to Arkansas State Police unharmed. Despite his capture, Hardin remained silent.

His 2017 conviction for first-degree murder was tied to the killing of James Appleton of Gateway. Hardin was also sentenced for a 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, Arkansas. Cheryl Tillman, Appleton's sister and the current mayor of Gateway, expressed relief at Hardin's capture, acknowledging the efforts of law enforcement.

During his sporadic career in law enforcement, Hardin had worked in multiple towns across northwest Arkansas, though his tenure was frequently marred by controversy and misconduct. His brief tenure as Gateway's police chief in 2016 was notably marked by erratic behavior, a sentiment echoed in the documentary about his life.