He tried to run from officers, but was quickly tackled to the ground, a spokesperson for the Arkansas prison system said. A former Arkansas police chief convicted of rape and murder has been caught by authorities nearly two weeks after he escaped from prison. Officers encountered Hardin after tracking dogs picked up his scent near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Before becoming Gateway's police chief, Hardin served as an officer at the Eureka Springs Police Department. In a statement, Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez said the team's "unique capabilities and training are well-suited for the demands of this critical mission".