CALICO ROCK, Ark. — Authorities are searching for an inmate who escaped from the North Central Unit on Sunday.

Grant Hardin, 61, was discovered missing at about 3:40 p.m., according to the Arkansas State Police. Hardin is serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder, along with an additional sentence for rape.

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He had been housed at the North Central Unit in Calico Rock since 2017. Before his convictions, Hardin served as the police chief for Gateway, Arkansas, and had a background in law enforcement.

The Arkansas Division of Correction and the Division of Community Correction are working with local, state, and federal law enforcement to track Hardin’s whereabouts.

UPDATE:

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.

Officials continue to utilize a variety of means to track Hardin, as well as investigating the events that led up to his escape. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

Again, Hardin remains at large, and anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately.