Cadaver dogs deployed in search for fugitive Dezi Freeman in Mount Buffalo National Park
Search dogs that specialise in sniffing out human remains have been deployed in the hunt for the fugitive after the property of a police officer near Benalla was raided as part of the search on Wednesday.
Cadaver dogs have been deployed in the manhunt for double police murderer Dezi Freeman.
The search dogs, which specialise in sniffing out human remains, were brought in from Queensland as police refocused their search on the Mount Buffalo National Park after raiding the property of a police officer near Benalla on Wednesday.
The Herald Sun understands Wednesday’s operation at Goomalibee, near Benalla, was at the home of a long-serving Victoria Police member.
The member was away at the time and was not the target of the warrant.
It is believed a family member of the officer was intercepted in a vehicle in the Shepparton area but has since been cleared of having anything to do with Freeman since he murdered senior constables Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart on August 26 at Porepunkah.
It is unclear why the family member had come under scrutiny.
Despite scaling back the 450 officers on the ground daily searching for the armed gunman to about 250 members, an extra 100 Public Order Response Team members have descended on Porepunkah to assist with the search.
Wednesday’s operation at Goonalibee came five weeks after Freeman allegedly shot the police as they tried to execute a search warrant related to child sexual abuse allegations.
Police have explored several theories regarding Freeman’s location and fate, including whether he had taken his own life or had died while trying to survive outdoors for weeks on end.
Members of the Special Operations Group have scoured caves, mine shafts, huts and rough bushland during the search.
Officers have been pictured conducting line searches in the high country and searching through dense bushland.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said tactical police had carried out “intensive” searches in the alpine area since Freeman shot dead officers Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart on August 26.
“Victoria Police, including its tactical police, continue to maintain a significant presence in the Porepunkah area,” she said.
“We are committed to using every available resource and the necessary skills required to find Freeman.”
On Wednesday, a large police operation unfolded in Goomalibee and Undera, more than 100km west of Porepunkah.
Tactical police and the Special Operations Group on Wednesday scoured land at Goomalibee – about 85km west of Porepunkah, where the 56-year-old “sovereign citizen” killed officers Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart on August 26.
It is understood new information led police to the home of an associate of Freeman, where helicopters were seen circling.
A police spokeswoman said Wednesday’s search was a planned operation, but would not comment on details.
“There is no immediate risk to community safety and further information will be provided once operationally appropriate to do so,” she said.
“This forms part of the ongoing investigation in the Porepunkah area in the search for Desmond Freeman.”
The operation comes days after police confirmed they had scaled back the resources dedicated to the manhunt.
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush last week said investigators had not ruled out any possibilities about Freeman’s whereabouts but that the search was becoming harder.
“There are a number of likelihoods; we will pursue all of those likelihoods,” he said.
“We have searched over 40 square kilometres by foot, by air, to do our best to understand where the person responsible is, and will not give up until we find that person.”
Despite the announcement of a $1m reward for information leading to Freeman’s arrest, it is understood there have been no confirmed sightings of the fugitive since the shooting 37 days ago.
Police have raided more than 100 properties across Victoria’s high country, including in Porepunkah, Bright and Myrtleford. Freeman’s wife, Mali, and their 15-year-old son were arrested and released in the initial days of the hunt.
