‘People know’ hideout for fugitive alleged cop-killer
Allanah Sciberras, Rachael Ward and Ethan James |
Members of the public know where a man accused of killing two police officers is hiding out nearly a week after the alleged ambush murders, investigators believe.
“People know the whereabouts of the person who’s killed two cops,” Superintendent Brett Kahan told reporters on Monday.
“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.”
Freeman has been at large since Tuesday 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.
Investigators have received more than 450 pieces of information in connection to the search.
A police bus has also been set up in the town of Bright, 10 minutes’ drive from Porepunkah.
The bus is stationed outside the church on Ireland Street and will be staffed by police officers during the day, every day.
Locals are encouraged to drop by and speak to police.
Supt Kahan said he couldn’t confirm whether charges would be laid against Freeman’s wife Amalia.
She was arrested alongside their 15-year-old son at a Porepunkah home last week.
“It’s two different things to be speaking with police and co-operating with police,” Supt Kahan added in reference to Ms Freeman.
“If people such as the fugitive’s wife isn’t giving us full co-operation, I would encourage you to do so.”
The appeal for information comes as funeral arrangements for the slain officers are finalised.
Snr Const De Waart will be farewelled on Friday, followed by the funeral for Det Snr Const Thompson on September 8.
Both services will be held at the Victoria Police Academy with full police honours. Neither will be open to the public.
Premier Jacinta Allan, Police Commissioner Mike Bush and other leaders observed a moment of silence in Melbourne to honour the fallen officers.
The minute’s silence was held at a meeting of the state’s cabinet on Monday, with Mr Bush in attendance.
“Chief – we stand with your colleagues and their families. So do the Victorian people,” Ms Allan posted on social media.
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll hit out at protesters who held up a photo of Freeman accompanied by the words “free man” at an anti-immigration a rally in Adelaide on Sunday.
“That was the most distasteful thing I saw (at the protest),” Mr Carroll told reporters in Melbourne.
“That just made us all feel sick and I was appalled by seeing that poster. That person is not a free man – he’s a wanted man.”
It is alleged Freeman shot three officers while they were undertaking a warrant at his property.
Police are probing whether a 61-year-old man arrested at Bright, just outside Porepunkah, was associated with 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 Freeman, who was a member of a 45,000-strong online group he founded that was dedicated to sustainability and largely focused on hunting.
More than 400 police officers from Victoria, plus interstate colleagues, have been battling sometimes blizzard-like conditions as part of the search.
AAP
