Dezi Freeman: Alleged cop killer may have fled Victoria after deadly police shootings, source claims
After an eight-week manhunt for fugitive Dezi Freeman, and still no trace, a source claims police believe the alleged cop killer is alive and has slipped out of Victoria.
The small town of Porepunkah and surrounding bushland has been flooded with police and other specialists since August 26, when Detective-Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 34, were shot dead and a third officer seriously injured.
They were part of a team of 10 officers who attended the home of Mr Freeman, a self-declared sovereign citizen, to serve a warrant over child sexual offences.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Freeman hasn’t been seen since, and a $1 million reward — the largest ever offered in Victoria — is in place for any information which leads to Mr Freeman’s arrest.
It is now feared that the fugitive evaded the initial police search entirely and crossed the border, fleeing Victoria.
“He got away,” a source told the Daily Mail.
“The belief is he somehow escaped and is now holed up safely across the border,” they said.
It remains unclear which State police suspect Mr Freeman may be hiding in; however, it has long been believed that he could be receiving help from supporters.
The fresh claim comes as Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush admitted that investigators aren’t sure whether the father of three was alive or dead.
“Is he still alive? We don’t know. Is he alive and still in the area? We have no real information to suggest that it’s occurred, but we never discount. Or has he been unable to leave the area and is being looked after by others? We don’t know,” Mr Bush said at a press conference on October 13.
“All of those are assumptions, possibilities, and we plan and resource for those three.”
The revelations come as police announced a partial reopening of Mount Buffalo National Park, which had been closed to the public and the focus of extensive search efforts.
“Some areas of the park will remain restricted and members of the public will be prohibited from accessing,” a written police statement read.
The decision follows exhaustive searches of the park and surrounding areas, along with hundreds of interviews, which have failed to uncover any sign of Mr Freeman.
“More than 800 people have been spoken to by police, including several of Freeman’s associates, and officers have searched hundreds of properties either by the owner’s consent or warrant,” the statement read.
“Detectives have investigated over 1600 pieces of intelligence, including information received from the public.
“Despite these extensive searches and enquiries, police have not located Desmond Freeman.
“This work has however given Victoria Police the confidence that the park can now reopen, as we know how important it is for the local community.
“The re-opening of the park does not signify the end of the search for Freeman, and Victoria Police will continue to maintain a strong presence in the area.”
Anyone who sees Mr Freeman is urged to call triple-0 immediately and not approach him.
Any suspicious behaviour, including anything the community notices at the Mount Buffalo National Park, should be reported to Crime Stoppers Victoria via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.
