Fled or dead: police weigh all options in Freeman hunt
William Ton, Allanah Sciberras and Callum Godde |
A fugitive on the run for more than two weeks after allegedly killing two officers might be dead or have fled the area.
Desmond “Dezi” Freeman is accused of shooting policemen Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart at a property at Porepunkah on August 26.
He escaped into dense bushland in the area about 300km northeast of Melbourne.
Investigators are keeping an open mind to every possibility with their search yet to reveal his location despite hundreds of officers being deployed to the region and a $1 million reward on offer.
“In terms of whether he’s taken his own life, that’s obviously one avenue we’re exploring,” Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly told reporters on Wednesday.
“Whether he’s up in the hills, secreted away, or whether he was able to get out – we haven’t closed our minds to any possibility at this time.”
Despite widespread shock, grief and frustration among residents since the fatal shooting, police said the 56-year-old might be receiving help from local supporters to stay hidden.
“Any fugitive that goes on the run, history suggests that they eventually will seek support or assistance from other members of the community, whether it be associates or other people that they may even befriend,” Det Supt Kelly said.
Alpine Shire Council Mayor Sarah Nicholas said some residents initially felt offended with the idea of an accused gunman being assisted by others in the community.
“Although now they have offered the extraordinarily high reward, the contention that there were people helping in the community is perhaps not quite as strong, because no one’s stepped forward yet,” she told AAP.
Victoria Police offered a $1 million reward for information leading to the capture of Freeman, the largest financial offer in the state’s history for facilitating an arrest.
More than 1000 tips have been submitted since the officers were killed, including nearly 200 pieces of information since the reward was offered.
“We only need the one tip that will result in the capture of Desmond Freeman,” Det Supt Kelly said.
Indemnity could be offered to those providing information to police.
As the search enters its third week, businesses in the tourist-dependent region reported falling sales and reduced hours.
Superintendent Craig Darlow said he appreciated the community frustration, but asked for understanding as police tried to arrest an armed and dangerous man last seen disappearing into the bush.
“We encourage people, if you don’t need to come to Porepunkah, don’t come here,” he said.
Premier Jacinta Allan discussed financial support for the community with the mayor when she visited the area after the shootings.
Ms Nicholas described the discussions as positive, saying it wasn’t just businesses that were suffering but also the casual workforce.
About 450 officers have been on the ground conducting daily searches in harsh and challenging bushland, caves, mineshafts, huts and properties in and around the area.
Investigators were aware of footage circulating online of the moments before the shooting showing officers clustered at the doorway of Freeman’s home and speaking with the accused gunman.
Det Supt Kelly said the footage was “distressing and disappointing”, confirming it came from a Freeman family member.
“I can only imagine the impact that’s had on the family of Neil and Vadim and the colleagues who were present,” he said.
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