### Former Small-Town Police Chief Escapes Arkansas Prison: Manhunt Underway

Grant Hardin, a former police chief from a small town in Arkansas, has escaped from prison while serving multiple decades-long sentences for severe crimes. The 56-year-old managed to slip away from a state prison in northern Arkansas, raising alarm across various law enforcement agencies now fervently hunting for him.

Hardin's bold escape occurred on Sunday afternoon from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock. According to the state's Department of Corrections, he impersonated law enforcement personnel by donning attire resembling that of officers—a black outfit that included pants, a T-shirt, a baseball cap, and something that looked like a bulletproof vest. Surveillance footage captured him wheeling a cart carrying wooden items and a box, which authorities believe he used to facilitate his exit through a controlled entry point known as a sally port.

A man with a checkered legal past, Hardin has been incarcerated since 2017. His criminal record includes a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder and two additional 25-year sentences for rape. In February 2017, he pleaded guilty to the murder of James Appleton, a water department employee for the City of Gateway. Appleton was shot in the head while driving close to his home. Two years after his murder conviction, Hardin's DNA linked him to the rape of schoolteacher Amy Harrison in 1997, leading to further legal actions against him.

Authorities scramble to locate Hardin before he can pose additional risks to public safety. Multiple agencies, including state police and various sheriff's offices, are coordinating efforts. Shane Wilkinson, Hardin's court-appointed attorney, reported no contact with his client since the escape and noted ongoing safety checks at Hardin's home and business.

As of late Sunday night, Hardin remained at large. The Department of Corrections emphasized that they are using diverse methods to track him and are investigating the circumstances surrounding his breakout. Hardin is described as being 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 259 pounds.

The authorities have called on the public to provide any information that might lead to Hardin's capture, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of the situation.