UPDATE: Multiple Rewards Now Offered for Help Catching Escaped Police Chief

CALICO ROCK, Ark. — The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of Grant Matthew Hardin, and U.S. Marshals are offering another $5,000.

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The FBI doubled Thursday’s $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Harden. He was convicted of homicide and rape, and now charged with second-degree escape from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock. Hardin fled from the Calico Rock Prison on May 25.

The FBI noted Hardin has ties to Garfield, Eureka Springs, Holiday Island, and Huntsville, Arkansas.

Izard County Deputies continue to assist the Arkansas Department of Corrections and the Arkansas State Police along with various other local, state, and federal law enforcement officers in locating Hardin. All tips and leads are being investigated.

– 8:30 AM 5/29 Update from the Izard County Sheriff’s Department

Hardin should be considered armed and dangerous, according to law enforcement. Anyone spotting him is encouraged to call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-6324). You may also contact your nearest FBI field office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, the FBI noted in their release on the possibility that Hardin has fled the country.

Many worry that he’s hiding out somewhere in north Arkansas. One Facebook comment encouraged vigilance among area residents.

“Everyone, please be extra vigilant when entering your barns and outbuildings in Izard County, as he may be hiding in them,” one person wrote on Facebook.

Tips have been investigated across the state since Hardin’s escape. In Cave City, police searched on Tuesday at several locations in town but to no avail.

Authorities in Faulkner County received tips that led to a search on Wednesday of an area between Damascus and Greenbrier with no results.

A news conference on Wednesday noted they’ve passed 72 hours since the escape with no new developments. Authorities are still investigating how Hardin procured a fake uniform, which has not yet been found. Police are assuming Hardin is still in the immediate area of north-central Arkansas.