Body found in vehicle that police believe may belong to Robert Greig

A body found in a vehicle in bushland is expected to be formally identified in the coming days, but police have already notified next of kin. Read the latest in the investigation.

Tasmania Police believe they have found the car of wanted shooter, with an as-of-yet unidentified body inside the vehicle. Picture: Supplied

Police believe a burnt body found in a car in the Buckland – Nugent area was that of alleged gunman Robert Grieg after a police chase on Monday.

A manhunt for Mr Grieg has been underway for the last two weeks after two police officers were shot at while en route to an incident near New Norfolk

Police have now called off the search after a series of events, which began with a tip off on Monday before noon.

“Police received a report from a member of the public that the vehicle of interest that may have been driven by Mr Greig was travelling on the Arthur Highway at Sorell,” Acting Deputy Commander Adrian Bodnar said.

Several police units were sent in, including CIB, uniform and special operations group members, while the Westpac Rescue Helicopter tailed the vehicle from the sky.

Eyes in the sky spotted the Holden Colorado, believed to be driven by Mr Greig, travelling north toward Buckland.

Police believe a burnt body found in a car in the Buckland – Nugent area was that of alleged gunman Robert Grieg after a police chase on Monday. Picture: Supplied.

“A police unit set up at the intersection of Nugent and Kellevie Road deployed road spikes however the driver avoided the spikes by driving around them,” Mr Bodnar said.

The vehicle travelled off road into bushland and rough terrain before it came to a stop and caught fire.

Because of the rough terrain, police were not able to reach the vehicle for 15 minutes after it came to a stop.

Inside the wreckage was a burnt body, which police believe to be that of Mr Greig.

“Looking at the vehicle and the circumstances, information we’ve been working on and looking at the totality of the investigation, we strongly believe it’s Mr Grieg and his vehicle,” Mr Bodnar said.

“We’ve taken the step of notifying the senior next of kin that we believe it is Mr Greig.

“We don’t have 100 per cent certainty at this stage, that will come out as part of the investigation.”

The process to formally identify the body is expected to take several days.

“To be able to formally identify the deceased in this case, it will require some forensic examination, that may be dental records or DNA,” Mr Bodnar said.

Police professional standards will investigate the events leading up to the fire.

“The investigation’s being headed up by the professional standards committee, that’s on the basis at the time of the circumstance, we were actively working to apprehend Mr Greig,” Mr Bodnar said.

Monday 10 October: Police believe they have found the car of wanted shooter Robert Greig with an as-of-yet unidentified body inside the vehicle.

It comes after a public tip-off at 11.45am on Monday when the car was seen travelling on the Arthur Highway at Sorell.

Acting on the belief it was Mr Greig’s car, police crews and a Westpac helicopter were dispatched to the area to search for the vehicle.

Tasmania police say the blue/grey Holden Colorado went off-road into bushland in the Nugent-Buckland area, where it was seen catching fire.

Police on the ground attended the scene a short time later, where a single deceased occupant was located inside the vehicle

Police have not confirmed the identity of the body, but say a formal identification process will take place in the coming days.

A Tasmania Police spokesperson said the believed family were notified, and a report would be prepared for the coroner.

“At this stage the death is not being treated as suspicious, however police will fully investigate the circumstances,” the spokesperson said.

“This will include a post mortem and formal identification.”

Earlier: Police are coming up empty-handed as 33-year-old Brighton man Robert Greig remains on the loose after allegedly shooting at officers two weeks ago.

Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby said they had gathered “significant information” about the fugitive, but are yet to track him down.

Police say on the night of the shooting on September 26 Mr Greig’s car was driven in the vicinity of the New Norfolk Bridge on Montagu Street.

CCTV footage indicates at least one other driver was in the area at the time, and police believe they may have witnessed Mr Greig driving erratically.

“Police would like to speak to the driver of any vehicle that was on either Glenora Road or Montagu Street between Glenfern and New Norfolk around 11.50pm on Monday 26 September,” Detective Inspector Morrisby said.

“I urge anyone who is helping Mr Greig avoid police, to come forward. We want this situation to end safely for everyone concerned.”

Mr Greig was driving a blue Holden Colorado registration YD08IP, however police believe it may now be painted a different colour and display different number plates.

However, officers say the vehicle would still have distinctive damage to its passenger side.

On the night of the shooting police were responding to reports of family violence at Triffetts Road in Glenfern, near New Norfolk.

Mr Greig is alleged to have shot at two police cars, with early ballistics analysis suggesting one of the bullets passed through the car and into the cabin, narrowly missing officers.

Members of the public who have seen Mr Greig or the vehicle should not approach him but instead call Police on 131 444.

Court escapee faces court after arrest

MONDAY: Hobart court escapee Bodie Savage was brought back before the magistrate after being found and arrested in a Clarendon Vale house on Sunday.

The 30-year-old appeared in front of the Hobart Magistrates Court via videolink over one count of escape.

Bodie Savage.

His legal aid said Mr Savage had requested more time to address the complaint.

“My application is the matter on that complaint adjourn without plea,” she said.

“Mr Savage does not make an application for bail.”

His matter was adjourned to October 24 this year for 9.30am.

SUNDAY: A man who was allegedly on the run after escaping from the Hobart Magistrates Court more than one week ago has been captured by police.

Police said a man was taken into custody, and is expected to appear in court later today.

The man was located at a Clarendon Vale address about 2.30pm and arrested without incident, according to police.

He has been charged with escape custody and will appear in an after hours court sitting after 5pm today.

Police thanked members of the public for their assistance in finding the absconder.

Meanwhile, police are yet to find Robert Greig who allegedly shot at two police vehicles near New Norfolk almost two weeks ago.

More to come