On Tuesday, authorities continued the hunt for an inmate who escaped from the Arkansas Department of Corrections’ North Central Unit in Calico Rock on Sunday — an inmate who now faces a felony escape charge.
Grant Hardin, 56, was charged Tuesday in Izard County Circuit Court with second-degree escape after allegedly impersonating a corrections officer to walk out of the facility on May 25, according to an arrest affidavit.
“Inmate Hardin impersonated a corrections officer in dress and manner, causing the corrections officer operating a secure gate to open the gate and allow inmate Hardin to walk away from the North Central Unit,” the affidavit stated.
Authorities said Hardin was not wearing any official ADC-issued clothing at the time, and all department equipment has been accounted for.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections, Arkansas State Police, and several local and state agencies are participating in the ongoing search.
Hardin has been incarcerated since 2017. He is serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder and a separate sentence for rape. Before his imprisonment, he served as police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, and has a background in law enforcement.
Officials warn the public that Hardin is considered extremely dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact local law enforcement.
Stone County Sheriff’s Office
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