Dezi Freeman: Bulletproof police vehicles move into Mount Buffalo National Park as manhunt enters seventh day

Amy Lee
The Nightly
The search for Dezi Freeman continues as his wife pleads for his surrender.

Heavily armoured police vehicles were spotted moving into Mount Buffalo National Park on Sunday night, as the search for the alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman stretches into its seventh day.

A bulletproof BearCat vehicle was seen entering the search site, Sunrise reported.

Police are throwing everything at their bushland hunt for the alleged gunman, who has been on the run for seven days after two officers were killed

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Mr Freeman’s wife Amalia Freeman, pleaded for him to safely surrender and put an end to the ordeal in Victoria’s high country.

Mr Freeman has been at large since August 26 following an incident at his property in Porepunkah, about 300km northeast of Melbourne.

The 56-year-old self-described sovereign citizen is accused of killing Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35.

Victoria’s Police Minister Anthony Carbines conceded the search was placing a strain on resources but everyone was doing everything possible to bring it to a conclusion.

“We’re throwing everything at it,” he told reporters.

Fugitive Dezi Freeman's wife has pleaded for him to surrender as a massive police search continues. (Simon Dallinger/AAP PHOTOS)
Fugitive Dezi Freeman's wife has pleaded for him to surrender as a massive police search continues. (Simon Dallinger/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Ms Freeman said she did not hold anti-authority views and would co-operate with police in any way she could.

Ms Freeman and her 15-year-old son were arrested at a Porepunkah home last week.

Both were interviewed and later released without charge.

“We echo the requests of the Victoria Police for the swift and safe conclusion of this tragedy,” she said.

“Please Dezi, if you see or hear this, call 000 and arrange a surrender plan with the police.”

She offered her condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the officers killed, saying she was grieving for their loss.

7NEWS exclusive pictures show Dezi Freeman’s wife Mali turning up to Wangaratta Court
Picture: 7NEWS
7NEWS exclusive pictures show Dezi Freeman’s wife Mali turning up to Wangaratta Court 7NEWS Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

Ms Freeman urged anyone harbouring or helping her husband, or anyone with a snippet of information, to contact police.

It is alleged Mr Freeman shot three officers undertaking a warrant at his property.

Police are probing whether a 61-year-old man arrested at Bright, just outside Porepunkah, was associated with Mr Freeman.

The man was allegedly found with weapons and cannabis.

He has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm and a drug of dependence.

The man told Seven News he had never met Mr Freeman, who was a member of a 45,000-strong online group he founded that was dedicated to sustainability and largely focused on hunting.

“It’s not right at all. I’ve never met him, not at all,” he said.

He recounted armed police knocking on his door.

“I looked up once and I thought, shit, and I saw all of the hands on the triggers - Jesus Christ, and I thought, don’t even move,” he said.

“I stuck me bloody hands up and I’m waiting for the bullets to come howling in on me.”

More than 400 police officers from Victoria, plus interstate colleagues, have been battling at times blizzard-like conditions as part of the search.

- With AAP

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