Update: The FBI is now offering a $10,000 Reward for information leading to the arrest of Hardin.
Update:
The search for escaped inmate Grant Matthew Hardin has intensified as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to his arrest.
According to the FBI’s Little Rock Field Office, an arrest warrant was officially issued for Hardin on May 26 by the Circuit Court of Izard County for second-degree escape. Law enforcement has warned the public that Hardin should be considered armed and dangerous and is an escape risk.
Authorities also stated that Hardin may have ties to Garfield, Eureka Springs, Holiday Island, and Huntsville, Arkansas. Law enforcement agencies in these areas are on high alert, and residents are urged to report any suspicious activity.
The FBI is encouraging the public to report any credible leads and has provided multiple ways for citizens to help:
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Call the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
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Submit information online at tips.fbi.gov
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Contact local law enforcement immediately if Hardin is spotted
Do not attempt to approach or apprehend Hardin, authorities warn. He is considered extremely dangerous and may attempt to evade capture using deception or force.
As the manhunt enters its second week, officials say the $10,000 reward could be the key to bringing Hardin back into custody. The public’s assistance is crucial in locating this fugitive and ensuring the safety of communities across Arkansas and beyond.
Calico Rock, AR – The search for escaped inmate Grant Hardin continues as law enforcement agencies across Arkansas expand their efforts following new developments in the case. Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, and remains at large. He was serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder and an additional sentence for rape.
According to newly released details from the Izard County Sheriff’s Office, Hardin impersonated a corrections officer to facilitate his escape. A probable cause affidavit released on Tuesday, May 27, states that Hardin wore a makeshift outfit resembling a corrections officer’s uniform, deceiving a gate operator into granting him passage from the secure facility.
Special Agent Dennis Simmons of the Izard County Sheriff’s Office confirmed, “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 Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) clarified that Hardin was not wearing an official DOC uniform, and all DOC-issued equipment has been accounted for. The materials used to assemble the disguise are under investigation.
Hardin’s background has added to the gravity of the situation—he is a former police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, and was convicted in 2017 for the murder of James Appleton, 59, alongside separate charges of rape of a elementary school teacher in Rogers, AR.
Latest Developments
The Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office reported receiving a tip on May 28 from an individual who claimed to have seen Hardin near U.S. Highway 65 and Cadron Bridge on the evening of May 25. Deputies, alongside the U.S. Marshals Service and Arkansas DOC personnel, responded and cleared the area. The credibility of the lead remains under investigation, and officials urge the public to remain vigilant.
Coordinated Search Underway
The ADC has confirmed that multiple agencies are actively involved in the ongoing manhunt, including the Arkansas State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and several local law enforcement departments.
“This is very much a joint effort,” said Rand Champion, Communications Director for the Arkansas Department of Corrections. “The Calico Rock area is very hilly. It has unforgiving terrain, which provides its own set of challenges. Still, we’re hoping to turn those into advantages, assuming the inmate does not have good familiarity with the area.”
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of inside assistance and are investigating whether Hardin had help in orchestrating his escape or accessing materials used in the disguise.
Public Urged to Remain Alert
Residents in Izard County and surrounding areas are urged to lock their homes and vehicles and to report any suspicious activity immediately. Hardin should be considered dangerous, and members of the public are advised not to approach him.
Anyone with information on Hardin’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 or contact their local law enforcement agency.
The Izard County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Charley Melton, continues to coordinate closely with state and federal agencies in the search effort, which has now surpassed 72 hours. As of now, Hardin remains at large.
