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Convicted murderer wanted for kidnapping & assault of woman has been captured

Deputies say a Cumberland Co. man out on parole for murder kidnapped a woman from her home earlier this month weekend. He fled from authorities in Clay County.

George Edwin Hardin, the convicted murderer and sex offender who was wanted for kidnapping a Cumberland County woman has been captured, according to the Cumberland Co. Sheriff's Office.

The arrest happened in Clay County, according to the post.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office posted that deputies arrested Hardin at 11:19 a.m.

"Sheriff Boone would like to thank all the members of the community that reported any suspicious activity and kept an eye out this past week! Mr. Hardin’s capture wouldn’t have been possible without the citizens help!' the post read.

Hardin will be extradited back to Cumberland Co. to face the kidnapping charge.

CAPTURED*** On behalf of Clay County Sheriff Brandon Boone, we are proud to report that Mr. George Hardin was located and taken into custody at 11:19 am by deputies of the Clay County Sheriffs...

Original story

Authorities are looking for a Cumberland County man accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint who was eventually able to escape Sunday.

The suspect, 57-year-old George Edwin Hardin, is out of prison on parole with prior convictions for murder, robbery, and rape.

Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox said Hardin lives near his victim, but the two did not know each other.  Cox said Hardin had stolen the victim's car and kidnapped her when they stopped at the Elite Market gas station at 4050 Hwy 127 North in Crossville.  

A witness saw a man holding a gun on a woman in a car.  The victim, who has not been identified, went inside and used the restroom with the man following closely behind her.

Credit: WBIR
Elite Market gas station and deli in Crossville.

Cox said the victim was fortunate another person was already in one of the restroom stalls.  The victim was able to notify the other person she was kidnapped at gunpoint. The victim also left her purse in the stall, allowing police to identify her.

At 3:44 p.m. Sunday, the workers at the gas station called 911 and officers arrived within a few minutes.  At that point, Hardin and the victim were seen headed west on Interstate 40.

After reviewing the security cameras and the contents of the purse, investigators identified Hardin and determined the victim was taken from her home in Cumberland County.

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office sent a statewide BOLO (Be On the Look Out) bulletin to all officers with a description of Hardin and the victim's vehicle.

Later Sunday, the Clay County Sheriff's Office received a call about a woman screaming and saying the man she was with had a gun. Deputies responded to the Obed River Market in Celina, which is about an hour north of Crossville, and found the woman had escaped unharmed.  

Credit: CCSO
George Edwin Hardin

"There was a brief pursuit of the vehicle, but the suspect stopped and fled on foot. He was able to get away in the woods," said Cox.  "He is armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees Hardin or knows his whereabouts should not approach him.  Call 911."

The sheriff praised the victim for her quick-thinking and bravery.

"She was very smart by leaving her purse behind and telling someone to make notification. And it also helped when she took flight and tried to get away. She did well and I'm proud of her," said Cox.

The employee at the Elite Market in Crossville who called 911 expressed relief at the victim's ability to escape.

"I just felt so afraid for her," said Elizabeth Garrett, a deli worker who called 911. "I just wanted someone to help her. I was so nervous all day just worried about her and then I was so glad [she was okay]."

Garrett praised the woman who was in the restroom and notified them of the situation.

Credit: WBIR
Cumberland County Sheriff cruiser at the Elite Market in Crossville where a kidnapping suspect and victim were spotted Sunday.

"The lady who just stopped here to get gas before her son's soccer game, she was a real hero," said Garrett.  "She was in the bathroom and said [the victim] was so scared she climbed in the stall with her. And she got the lady's purse and told police everything that happened." 

Hardin escaped in the area of Chad Grace Road and Estis Sims Road on the west end of Clay County.

Hardin is still on the run with fresh warrants out for his arrest for aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, armed dangerous felon, reckless endangerment, and felony possession of a firearm.

Hardin is 5’10” and weighs 207 pounds. He was last seen wearing a possibly polo-style teal shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. According to the TBI -- he has multiple tattoos on left shoulder, upper left arm, lower left arm and lower right arm.

Hardin was placed on Tennessee's sex offender registry after being convicted of rape and armed robbery in 1981 in Johnson City. He was sentenced 25 years behind bars, where he as convicted in 1987 of first degree murder of a fellow inmate, according to court documents. That murder conviction earned him a life sentence in prison, but he was released on parole.

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