“A specialized tactical unit of the U.S. Border Patrol, known as BORTAC, has been drafted from Texas to assist in the ongoing manhunt for escaped inmate Grant Hardin in Arkansas,” according to reliable sources.
The unit is “equipped with specialized tools and has significant experience in high-risk operations and complex terrain navigation,” as per an official statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Hardin, age 56, managed a daring escape from the North Central Unit state prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas, on May 25th. Reports indicate he impersonated a corrections officer in both attire and behavior, leading another officer to open a secure gate and permit his exit.
During a subsequent press conference, it was revealed that Hardin did not have an official uniform from the Department of Corrections. His disguise, authorities state, must have been either homemade or smuggled in. Currently, Hardin remains at large, and a reward of up to $20,000 has been offered by the FBI for information leading to his capture.
The RGV Sector BORTAC team, comprised of highly trained tactical agents, brings “advanced search capabilities and operational support to the multi-agency effort in northern Arkansas,” officials report. “BORTAC’s unique capabilities and training are well-suited for the demands of this critical mission,” stated Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez.
Despite deploying resources such as helicopters, drones, K9 officers, and ATVs, Hardin remains elusive. The search has been hampered by rugged terrain, densely wooded areas, undulating hills, and several days of heavy rainfall. Both sides of this issue present compelling arguments that Hardin’s knowledge of the local geography may be aiding his evasion.
Local authorities are continuing to monitor roadways near the prison and have implemented security checkpoints. It’s been reported that the Department of Corrections is in communication with neighboring states, given Hardin’s upbringing along the Missouri border.
Hardin’s criminal past includes a 2017 guilty plea to first-degree murder and a 1997 conviction for rape, the latter crime recounted in the 2023 television documentary “Devil in the Ozarks.” Hardin is described as a 6-foot-tall male, weighing 259 pounds. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact local law enforcement without delay.
Hardin’s escape raises questions about the security measures within our prison system and highlights the importance of our law enforcement agencies’ collaboration.
