Today marks the first full week since two police were shot dead in an ambush at a property in regional Victoria, sparking a massive search for suspected gunman Dezi Freeman.
Officers Neal Thompson, 59, and Vadim De Waart, 35, were killed when a team of 10 police officers arrived at Freeman’s home in Porepunkah to execute a search warrant related to historic sex offences on Tuesday, August 26.
It’s believed that Freeman, who has been linked to the so-called “sovereign citizen” movement, carried out the attack, which also wounded a third officer.
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Including the initial response that Tuesday, today is the eighth day of the manhunt for Freeman, who has not been since since the shooting.
Yesterday, police said they suspected Freeman was receiving aid from a member of the public.
Victoria Police Superintendent Brett Kahan called for Freeman to contact Triple Zero to make a “surrender plan” – and then, in his own words, “changed tack”.
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“I extend that invitation to anyone who is harbouring, considering harbouring or knows something about the people who are harbouring [Freeman],” Kahan said.
“You are committing an extremely serious crime by harbouring or assisting in the escape of Dezi Freeman.”
Kahan said he believed somebody knew where Freeman was.
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Freeman’s wife Amalia also spoke out on Sunday, urging him to turn himself in. She is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Alpine Shire Council Mayor Sarah Nicholas visited Porepunkah yesterday and in a message posted online, praised the community’s strength.
“It’s great to see the camaraderie that the community members are showing towards and between each other,” she said.
“I wanted to remind everybody to keep vigilant. There’s still a very active police presence and we need to be sure that we keep ourselves as safe as possible.”
She said the council was working on providing support services for those in need in the short and long term.
Resources are listen online on the council website.
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