Public information about accused cop killer floods in
Allanah Sciberras and Rachael Ward |
A “remarkable” amount of information on an accused police killer has been provided to investigators as the force explores a reward for details leading to his capture.
Dezi Freeman, 56, has been on the run since August 26 following a deadly confrontation at his property in Porepunkah, about 300km northeast of Melbourne.
Police officers Vadim De Waart, 35, and Neal Thompson, 59, were killed and a colleague badly injured.
More than 400 police are searching for Freeman on foot and by air across Victoria’s high country.
Locals have been warned not to approach the fugitive because he might be armed.
Police believe people know the whereabouts of Freeman.
Superintendent Brett Kahan revealed members of the public had been very forthcoming since a fresh public appeal on Monday.
“The amount of information we’ve received in the last 18 hours since speaking to the media has been remarkable,” he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
He said police were not considering a reward for information leading to his capture but “that’s an avenue that police will explore”.
Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina said the scale of the search operation would be challenging to maintain.
“Financially, it’s a major impact on the operating budget of Victoria Police,” he told AAP on Tuesday.
“I would hope to see some assistance from the (Victorian) government because if it comes out of the operating budget, there’s got to be resources cut elsewhere.”
As the search enters a second week, Mr Bezzina said difficult discussions would be needed about potentially scaling it back.
Any decision, in weeks or months, would likely take into account several factors, including whether authorities believed he could survive in the bush or was still in the area.
“It will be a very, very difficult call for police command,” Mr Bezzina said.
“It’s difficult because it’s damned if they do, damned if they don’t.”
Victoria Police is yet to ask for any additional financial support as part of the manhunt, AAP has been told.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines on Thursday said the state government was ready to provide anything extra the force needed.
High-tech equipment, including a police helicopter with infrared and thermal cameras that can detect heat through dense bushland, is being used in the search.
Michael Coates, an experienced drone search and rescue operator, believes the accused killer has found shelter or moved out of the area.
“If the person is in a cave or a rock ledge or in a mine shaft and they’ve got no visible presence to the sky, then they basically remain unrecognised as there is no way of seeing through the ground,” he said.
Freeman may have stashed food and water but his survival would be hampered by efforts to stay hidden, Mr Coates said.
The town of Porepunka is slowly beginning to reopen.
The Porepunkah Pines Holiday Park resumed normal trading on Tuesday after an “incredibly heavy” week.
Marty Robinson, a family friend who has known Dezi Freeman for about 30 years, said the police deaths left a mark on the town.
He runs Marty’s Porepunkah Garage and said most of his bookings were cancelled last week and business is still quiet.
Senior Constable De Waart will be farewelled on Friday, followed by a funeral for Detective Senior Constable Thompson on September 8.
AAP
