Contents
Article Summary
Grant Hardin, a former police chief from Gateway, Arkansas, escaped from the North Central Unit prison on May 25, 2025, while serving an 80-year sentence for rape and murder. Hardin, considered extremely dangerous, wore a homemade police uniform and used a cart with utility materials to deceive guards during his escape. Authorities have launched a massive manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Hardin’s escape raises serious concerns about prison security and public safety, given his violent history and tactical ingenuity.
What This Means for You
- Stay Vigilant: Residents in Arkansas and nearby states should be cautious and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.
- Enhance Security Awareness: This incident underscores the importance of robust security measures in correctional facilities to prevent similar escapes.
- Public Cooperation: Assisting authorities with information can expedite Hardin’s capture and ensure community safety.
- Future Outlook: This event may prompt a review of prison protocols and increased scrutiny of inmate monitoring systems.
Ex-Police Chief Serving Time for Rape and Murder Escapes Arkansas Prison Wearing Homemade Police Uniform | The Gateway Pundit
Former Gateway, Arkansas police chief Grant Hardin escaped from prison Saturday while serving a 50 and 30-year sentences for rape and first degree murder. According to authorities, Hardin wore a homemade police uniform to escape, wheeling supplies though the yard to fool guards.

Excerpt from the New York Post:
A disgraced ex-Arkansas police chief who was serving 80 years in prison for rape and a shotgun-to-the-head execution escaped from a high-security prison disguised as a cop.
Grant Hardin, 56, the former police chief of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was seen on security cameras walking out of the North Central Unit prison, in Calico Rock, dressed in what appears to be a homemade law enforcement uniform on Sunday afternoon.
Hardin, who is considered extremely dangerous, used the outfit to sneak through the controlled gate while inconspicuously pushing a cart full of utility materials, according to the Stone County Sheriff’s Office.
…In 2017, Hardin pleaded guilty to the murder of James Appleton, 59, a Gateway water department employee who was shot in the head at point-blank range with a shotgun while on the phone with his brother-in-law, who was at the time the mayor.
…While incarcerated, Hardin’s DNA was tested and linked to a 1997 rape case that saw an elementary school teacher sexually assaulted at gunpoint inside a school bathroom while a community church service occurred down the hall.
Hardin pleaded guilty to rape and kidnapping in 2018, with a judge sentencing him to an additional 50 years in jail.
Statement and updates by the Arkansas Department of Corrections, “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – CALICO ROCK – On Sunday, May 25, at approximately 3:40 p.m., inmate Grant Hardin, ADC #168541, escaped from the North Central Unit. Anyone with information about inmate Hardin’s whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
CALICO ROCK – On Sunday, May 25, at approximately 3:40 p.m., inmate Grant Hardin, ADC #168541, escaped from the North Central Unit.
Anyone with information about inmate Hardin’s whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately. pic.twitter.com/RZZ8I2hMc4— Arkansas Department of Corrections (@ADCPIO) May 25, 2025
“UPDATE 11:30 p.m.: CALICO ROCK – As of 11:30 PM on Sunday, May 25, the search for inmate Grant Hardin, ADC # 168541, is ongoing. The search is a joint effort including the Department of Corrections, Arkansas State Police, and local and state law enforcement offices…It has been determined that Hardin was wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement when he escaped the North Central Unit. He was not wearing a Department of Corrections uniform, and all DOC-issued equipment has been accounted for.”
It has been determined that Hardin was wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement when he escaped the North Central Unit. He was not wearing a Department of Corrections uniform, and all DOC-issued equipment has been accounted for.
— Arkansas Department of Corrections (@ADCPIO) May 26, 2025
People Also Ask About
- Who is Grant Hardin? A former Arkansas police chief serving time for rape and murder.
- How did Grant Hardin escape? He wore a homemade police uniform and used a cart to deceive guards.
- Is Grant Hardin dangerous? Yes, he is considered extremely dangerous due to his violent criminal history.
- What measures are being taken to recapture him? A multi-agency manhunt is underway, and the public is urged to assist.
- What does this escape reveal about prison security? It highlights potential vulnerabilities in inmate monitoring and security protocols.
Expert Opinion
This escape underscores critical flaws in prison security systems, particularly in high-profile cases involving inmates with law enforcement backgrounds. Authorities must prioritize tightening protocols and leveraging technology to prevent future breaches, ensuring public safety and institutional integrity.
Key Terms
- Grant Hardin escape
- Arkansas prison break 2025
- Homemade police uniform escape
- High-security prison vulnerabilities
- Multi-agency manhunt Arkansas
ORIGINAL SOURCE:
Source link