Rain Hampers Bloodhounds Chasing “Devil in the Ozarks” Fugitive After Jailbreak
Bloodhounds on the Trail of Escaped Convict in Arkansas
A bloodhound picked up the scent shortly after the escape of the notorious “Devil in the Ozarks” from a lockup in northern Arkansas. This hound is part of a specialized unit that lives on prison grounds, trained to track down fugitives. Despite heavy rain, experts believe the dog’s highly developed sense of smell can still pick up a fresh trail, even days after Sunday’s escape.
Convicted killer Grant Hardin, known for his notoriety and featured in a TV documentary, managed to slip away from the North Central Unit-a medium-security prison in Calico Rock. Brian Tierney, president of the National Police Bloodhound Association, emphasized that bloodhounds are tenacious trackers and are now central to the search efforts for Hardin, who remains at large six days post-escape.
Weather has been a significant obstacle. Heavy rains confounded the hunt when they washed away Hardin’s scent after he was tracked for less than a quarter-mile. “That was one of the most frustrating things,” said state prison spokesman Rand Champion, explaining how close they were before losing him to the elements.
In an effort to capture Hardin, the FBI announced a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his arrest. Hardin left behind personal items like clothes and bedsheets that are being used by bloodhounds to maintain familiarity with his scent.
The former police chief had been held at Calico Rock since 2017 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder. His criminal past includes a DNA match to a 1997 rape case, resulting in another lengthy sentence. The lax identity checks that allowed his escape are under investigation as authorities try to piece together any potential inside help he might have received.
The bloodhound unit at Calico Rock is well-regarded for its role in assisting various agencies over the years. Southern prisons often rely on these dogs not just for escapees but also in cases involving missing children or vulnerable adults, showcasing their versatility beyond tracking criminals.
Extreme measures are sometimes taken by fugitives to evade capture by bloodhounds. Tierney recalls cases where escapees used substances like cayenne pepper to throw off the dogs’ keen noses. Others might resort to unusual tactics like sleeping in trees to disperse their scent.
Hardin’s past gives him an edge; those who know him describe him as cunning, aware of police tactics due to his law enforcement background. “That individual probably watched the extended forecast before he went out,” Tierney noted, acknowledging how weather can hinder bloodhound tracking efforts.
The situation remains tense among residents and law enforcement alike as the search continues. The manhunt has placed both Hardin’s capabilities and law enforcement’s resolve under scrutiny. With each passing day, hope lingers that these expert trackers can overcome natural and man-made hurdles to bring this fugitive back into custody.
For more information on this developing story, visit CNN.
