• Grant Hardin, a former police chief, escaped from a medium-security prison by impersonating a corrections officer.
• His escape prompted a large manhunt in the rugged Ozark Mountains with the use of drones, helicopters, and ground teams.
• Hardin is serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape, notorious as the "Devil in the Ozarks."
• The escape has caused alarm among the victims' families and local communities, who fear for their safety.
• Hardin's intimate knowledge of the terrain is believed to aid his evasion from capture.

A manhunt is underway for Grant Hardin, the former police chief known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," who escaped from the North Central Unit, a medium-security prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas. Hardin, serving sentences for murder and rape, walked out on Sunday by impersonating a corrections officer. The escape occurred around 2:55 p.m., with the escape not being announced until approximately two hours later. This delay provided Hardin a significant head start into the rugged landscape of northern Arkansas, complicating search efforts, according to HuffPost and ABC News.

During his escape, Hardin donned a convincing outfit that resembled a corrections officer's uniform. The Arkansas Department of Corrections spokesperson, Rand Champion, stated, "There's nothing inside the prison that looks like that, so that’s one of the challenges we’re going through to find out what that was and how he was able to get that or manufacture it," highlighting potential security failures within the prison system. Authorities have escalated their search efforts using helicopters, drones, and search dogs across the variably rugged terrain, according to IndiaTimes and ABC News.

Hardin, who briefly served as police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, and is now facing a manhunt, was sentenced to 80 years for his crimes, which include the murder of James Appleton in 2017 and a 1997 rape case. "He's just an evil man," stated Cheryl Tillman, sister of one of Hardin's victims. The escape reopens wounds for families who have sought justice and peace since his conviction, with local law enforcement urging residents to secure their homes and report suspicious activities. Tillman expressed her anxiety, stating, "I thought, oh my gosh, what are we gonna do now?" according to CBS News and NPR.

The community's fears are palpable, as former law enforcement members and victims' advocates work to ensure the public's safety. "At some point in time, he’s going to run out of provisions," commented Craig Caine, a retired inspector with the U.S. Marshals, highlighting the likelihood of Hardin being recognized by locals who may inadvertently assist in his capture. The ongoing manhunt remains a top priority for various law enforcement agencies, with continued coordination among federal and state offices, as documented in IndiaTimes and ABC News.