UPDATE: The manhunt for accused cop killer Dezi Freeman has entered its sixth day, intensifying as authorities continue to scour the Victoria high country wilderness. Freeman, wanted for the alleged murders of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, vanished into the bush on Tuesday following a deadly confrontation at a property in Porepunkah, approximately 300 km northeast of Melbourne.
More than 450 police officers are currently deployed in the area, facing harsh weather conditions including blizzards and heavy rain. The search efforts have involved examining disused mines, caves, and other hidden locales around the rural community. As of now, police have received several unconfirmed sightings of Freeman, prompting a call for public vigilance.
“We’re exploring alleged sightings,” stated Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush. “If you think you see him, let us know. We’ll explore it.” The urgency for the community to remain alert cannot be overstated as the search continues.
On Saturday, police relocated their forward command post from Feathertop Winery to a government office in Ovens, roughly 12 km from Porepunkah. Officials emphasized that this move is intended to enhance operational support in the ongoing efforts. “We want to reassure the community that police are not leaving the area,” Victoria Police announced.
In a related development, a 61-year-old man was arrested on Friday at a property in Bright, just 6 km from Porepunkah. The arrest followed a search warrant executed at approximately 4:45 PM, during which guns and cannabis were seized. Investigators are currently interviewing the man to determine any potential connections to Freeman.
This came shortly after the arrest of Freeman’s 42-year-old wife Mali and their 15-year-old son, who were detained on Thursday night during an operation in Chandler Court. Both have since been interviewed and released, with Mr. Bush stating, “There may or may not be charges that follow.”
Police helicopters and drones have been deployed across the area, desperately searching for any sign of the fugitive. Freeman, known for his bush survival skills, was last seen wearing dark green tracksuit pants, a matching rain jacket, Blundstone boots, and reading glasses.
Authorities warn that Freeman is believed to adhere to a “sovereign citizen” ideology, which denies governmental authority and the rule of law, raising concerns about his potential unpredictability.
As this situation develops, community members are urged to remain alert and report any suspicious activity. The search efforts are ongoing, and every moment counts in locating this dangerous fugitive. Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.
