(NewsNation) — Convicted killer and rapist Grant Hardin, who escaped a medium-security prison two weeks ago, was apprehended Friday, the Stone County, Arkansas Sheriff’s Office said.
The 56-year-old Hardin, a former police chief who was serving decades in prison for murder and sexual assault, was able to walk out of the Arkansas North Central Unit in Calico Rock by disguising himself as a correctional officer May 25.
NewsNation was the first to report the capture of Hardin, known as the “Devil in the Ozarks.” A U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s special operations tactical unit was involved in the manhunt that led to his arrest.
Hardin was near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, roughly a mile and a half west of the North Central Unit. Tracking dogs were able to pick up a scent in the area, the Arkansas Department of Corrections said.
Grant Hardin, murderer and rapist, escaped from an Arkansas prison nearly two weeks ago. USBP Special Operations Group deployed to assist in the manhunt and tracked him down less than 2 miles from the prison. Hardin was turned over to Arkansas State Police unharmed. 
Grant Hardin, murderer and rapist, escaped from an Arkansas prison nearly two weeks ago. USBP Special Operations Group deployed to assist in the manhunt and tracked him down less than 2 miles from the prison. Hardin was turned over to Arkansas State Police unharmed. 
CALICO ROCK – Escaped inmate Grant Hardin has been recaptured and was taken into custody shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday, June 6. Hardin was found by Arkansas law enforcement officers and the U.S. Border Patrol near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, roughly a mile and a half west of the North Central Unit. Tracking dogs were able to pick up a scent in the area, and Hardin was apprehended a short time later. 
Grant Hardin, murderer and rapist, escaped from an Arkansas prison nearly two weeks ago. USBP Special Operations Group deployed to assist in the manhunt and tracked him down less than 2 miles from the prison. Hardin was turned over to Arkansas State Police unharmed. 
CALICO ROCK – Escaped inmate Grant Hardin has been recaptured and was taken into custody shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday, June 6. Hardin was found by Arkansas law enforcement officers and the U.S. Border Patrol near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, roughly a mile and a half west of the North Central Unit. Tracking dogs were able to pick up a scent in the area, and Hardin was apprehended a short time later. 
This combo of images provided by the Arkansas Department of Corrections shows an actual photo of inmate Grant Hardin, left, and a photo rendering of the convicted former police chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” as the search for the escaped inmate headed into its second week. (Arkansas Department of Corrections via AP)
Hardin’s identity was confirmed through fingerprinting.
The manhunt for Hardin took place through the rugged terrain of the Ozarks, which includes forests, waterways and caves. Authorities used bloodhounds, drones and horses.
“I’m so proud of our Department staff and all the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for being steadfast as they always are,” said Chairman of the Board of Corrections Benny Magness. “I’m appreciative of them dedicating their time and sacrificing all they did to ensure Mr. Hardin was recaptured and the community could feel safe.”
The FBI offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the 56-year-old. On top of that, the U.S. Marshals Service offered $5,000.
A former police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, Hardin had been held at the Calico Rock prison since 2017 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in a fatal shooting for which he was serving a 30-year sentence.
Hardin’s DNA was matched to the 1997 rape of a teacher at an elementary school in Rogers, north of Fayetteville. He was sentenced to 50 years for that crime. Eventually, his notoriety led to a TV documentary, “Devil in the Ozarks.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.