(NewsNation) — The manhunt for convicted killer and rapist Grant Hardin continued Tuesday with little luck in Arkansas as officials turn to bloodhounds, horseback searchers, drones and local tipsters for help.
Former police chief Grant Hardin, dubbed the “Devil in the Ozarks,” escaped prison May 25 dressed as a corrections officer. The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service have offered a combined $25,000 for information that leads to his arrest.
Rand Champion, director of communications for the Arkansas Department of Corrections, told NewsNation the search has been made tougher by the rough terrain of the Ozarks. The area’s caves, waterways and forests — and Hardin’s police background — could help him remain hidden.
“We’ve got to try and access some pretty hard-to-get-to places. And so being able to get into there has caused some challenges,” Champion said. “It’s also a reason why, you know, people are questioning, why is the search taking so long? There’s a lot of areas out there, and it’s hard to search it.”
The corrections department is leading the search for Hardin, with the U.S. Marshals Service; the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Arkansas State Police assisting on long-haul shifts.
“They get done with their regular shift, and then they’re coming here and helping for a few hours. So, it’s just been a great testament, and can’t express enough our appreciation for those different agencies,” Champion said.
Authorities believe Hardin is in the same area where he escaped, but they warned that Hardin might already look different from his mugshot.
“If he’s been out, you know, in the woods or hiding out in a cabin or caves or whatever, a week, he’s probably lost some weight a little bit, so his appearance has probably changed … So just be aware of that,” Champion said.
Anyone with information about Hardin’s whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or local law enforcement. He is considered armed and dangerous.