Specialist taskforce to take over search for Dezi Freeman
A specialist taskforce will take over the search for accused cop killer Dezi Freeman, as the national park where he was thought to have fled reopens to the public.
Freeman has not been seen since he allegedly shot and killed police officers Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart and wounded a third officer, as they attempted to serve a warrant on him at his residence in Porepunkah on August 26.
The so-called sovereign citizen then fled the scene, heavily armed and on foot, triggering a massive, months-long manhunt.
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Dezi Freeman. Nine
The search so far has involved hundreds of Victoria Police officers conducting extensive searches of Mount Buffalo National Park, Porepunkah and surrounding areas, and more than 1700 pieces of intelligence.
Mount Buffalo National Park reopens to the public today and anyone who sees Freeman is urged to phone triple zero and not approach him.
Taskforce Summit will now officially take over the ongoing search.
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Porepunkah, where Dezi Freeman lived prior to the shooting in August. Eddie Jim
Led by a detective inspector from the state's Anti-Gangs Division, the taskforce includes specialist resources from the Fugitive Squad, Armed Crime Squad, VIPER Taskforce, Special Operations Group, Search and Rescue Squad, and local Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems members.
The homicide squad will continue investigating the murders of Thompson and De Waart-Hottart.
Assistant Commissioner Martin O'Brien said the investigation was "far from over" but relied on assistance from the public.
"I strongly urge anyone with any information at all, no matter how small you think it may be, to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers," O'Brien said.
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Porepunkah shooting victims Vadim de Waart and Neal Thompson. 9News
"This could be sightings of Freeman, information you're hearing in your local communities, even suspicious activity on your property – whatever it is, we want to hear from you. As always, this can be done anonymously.
"It has been an extremely challenging investigation but are we incredibly determined to see this to resolution."
A reward of up to $1 million remains for information leading to Freeman's arrest.
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