Victoria Police say fugitive Dezi Freeman may be receiving help from members of the community.
Police are still hunting the 56-year-old from Porepunkah, accused of killing two officers in Victoria’s northeast on Aug. 26.
Law enforcement warn anyone harbouring him faces serious criminal charges.
Superintendent Brett Kahan urged those potentially assisting Freeman to come forward with information, broadening his earlier appeal.
“I’m going to change tack a little bit. I extend that invitation to anyone who’s harbouring Desi Freeman, who’s considering harbouring Desi Freeman, or know something about the people that are harbouring Desi Freeman. That offer is absolutely out to you as well,” he told reporters on Sept. 1.
Kahan said the crime was too serious for silence or help.
“People know the whereabouts of the person who’s killed two cops. People have chosen, for whatever reason, not to come forward, and I’m taking this time to appeal to you to come forward in that respect,” he said.
To encourage cooperation, police have set up a mobile facility for tip-offs.
“We’re opening up other avenues for the public to approach us to give information about Desi Freeman’s whereabouts,” Kahan said.
“Give us anonymous information. We will act on it. We are absolutely hunting for a fugitive, and we continue to do so.”
Freeman is believed to remain heavily armed. The weapons allegedly used in the shooting have not been recovered. Police also fear he may be using technology such as mobile devices to avoid capture.
Freeman is accused of shooting Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart as they tried to execute a warrant at his property.
Family Pleads for Safe Surrender
On Aug. 31, in a statement through her lawyer, Freeman’s wife, Amalia Freeman expressed sorrow for the victims’ families and pleaded with him to surrender.“We share our deep sorrow for the loss of the lives of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart,” she said.
She stressed her respect for police.
“We echo the requests of the Victoria Police for the swift and safe conclusion of this tragedy. I lend my full support to Victoria Police in their search for my husband and will co-operate in any way that I can.”
She also appealed directly to her husband.
“Please Dezi, if you see or hear this, call 000 and arrange a surrender plan with the police.”
Freeman Placard at Rallies Sparks Outrage
In a related incident, police in South Australia are investigating an incident at an Adelaide rally attended by 15,000 individuals mostly concerned about the high volume of new migrants into the country.One man displayed a placard of Freeman with the words “Free Man,” which became the focal point of some public reaction.
Acting Police Commissioner Linda Williams called the sign “offensive,” and “outrageous.” She said the man had been identified.
“I think that would have disturbed any right-minded person, including our members who saw the sign yesterday,” she said.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas also called on the man to hand himself in.
Hunt Enters Sixth Day
Meanwhile, the manhunt for Freeman entered its sixth day.Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said on Aug. 29 that the scale of the response was unprecedented. More than 450 officers have been deployed, with support from the Australian Federal Police and police from New South Wales and South Australia.
He added that AFP specialists were providing intelligence and technical support, while NSW officers were coordinating efforts near the border in case Freeman attempted to flee interstate.
Emergency services have warned residents to avoid Porepunkah and urged nearby towns—including Wangaratta, Mount Beauty, Mount Buller and Nagambie—to stay alert.
Reports of sightings have been made but none confirmed.
