Tasmania Police search for Robert George Greig after New Norfolk shooting
Tasmania Police has issued a plea for the man wanted in connection to the New Norfolk shooting incident on Monday evening to hand himself in.
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UPDATE - 12pm: Tasmania Police has issued a plea for the man wanted in connection to the New Norfolk shooting incident to make contact with police and hand himself in.
Commander Tim Dooley said that police wanted to resolve this incident safely for everyone, including 33-year-old Brighton man Robert George Greig, responding police officers and the community.
“Mr Greig, please make contact with police so we can safely resolve the situation for you, your family and your loved ones,” Commander Dooley said.
“Police would like to acknowledge the support and assistance of the local community as we carry out our investigations. We appreciate their patience and understanding, and we are working hard to safely resolve this situation as soon as we can.
“Police continued our search of a number of houses and properties in the Brighton and Elderslie areas overnight in a bid to located Mr Greig and the blue Holden Colorado 4WD registration YD08IP.
“We can’t discount the possibility that the vehicle may have been modified with some parts repainted with an undercoat grey colour.”
Members of the public who have seen Mr Greig or the vehicle he is believed to be driving are asked to not approach him and call police on 131444.
If you know where Mr Greig is currently located – please contact police or Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au.
Tasmania Police said your anonymity is guaranteed.
WEDNESDAY 7am: Tasmania Police will be targeting a number of areas including the Brighton and Elderslie region today as part of an ongoing search to locate a 33-year-old Brighton man wanted in connection to the New Norfolk shooting on Monday night.
Significant police resources including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, drones and specialist resources are currently searching for Robert George Greig and a blue Holden Colorado 4WD registration YD08IP that he is believed to be driving.
No one was physically injured in the incident near Glenfern at 11.50pm on Monday night however one police vehicle was shot a number of times.
Members of the public who have seen Mr Greig or the vehicle he is believed to be driving are asked to not approach him but instead call Police on 131444.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au
TUESDAY: Tasmania Police have released images of the ‘person of interest’ and the vehicle he’s believed to be driving after shots were fired at two police vehicles near New Norfolk overnight.
Significant police resources including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, drones and specialist resources, are searching for 33-year-old Brighton man and a blue Holden Colorado 4WD registration YD08IP he’s believed to be driving.
Members of the public who have seen Mr Greig or the vehicle he is believed to be driving are asked to not approach him but instead call Police on 131444.
At a media briefing earlier today, officers said it was “only a matter of time” before they track down the gunman.
Southern Commander Tim Dooley said police did not believe there was a risk to the public after the shooting, which is why they had not informed the public until later on Tuesday morning.
He said they were encouraging the public to go about their daily business, but to report any suspicious activity to police and not get involved.
Commander Dooley said they would not release information about the man or the gun at this point in time, since they were confident they would make a swift arrest.
He said if time went on without an arrest, police would consider releasing more information to the public in the hope of a tip-off that may assist in their search.
“We’re very confident we know who the person is. It’s simply a matter of us locating and we need to do that safely,” Commander Dooley said.
“Our understanding is that they’re in hiding, trying to avoid apprehension. That’s our belief at this time.”
Special operations, drones, dogs and officers are scouring the bushland and roads in search of the gunman as he remains on the loose.
Investigators are in contact with residents who they believe are connected with the gunman, and they are asking friends and family members not to assist in his evasion.
Commander Dooley said he was encouraging any contacts who know where the gunman is to let police know.
He said the ballistics investigations were ongoing, but that it was safe to say it was a “very close call” for the officers who had been shot at.
Commander Dooley said the officers who had been shot at were receiving support, with all but one of them returning home for a day off.
“It’s a very distressing situation to become involved in. It happened very quickly, and they’re just very fortunate and no doubt relieved that they’re unharmed and uninjured,” he said.
“Our staff are very courageous; we very quickly had about 40 resources on this job in the wee hours of the morning.”
Residents reported a police helicopter flying overhead in the early hours of Monday morning.
“Had multiple cars fly past me on my way home from work. Knew something major was going on,” one resident said.
Police have now confirmed investigations are under way after shots were fired at two police vehicles near New Norfolk overnight.
“No one was physically injured in the incident however one police vehicle was shot a number of times,” police confirmed.
“Shots were fired at a police vehicle with two police officers when they were travelling to arrest an alleged family violence offender near Glenfern about 11.50pm last night.
“Shortly afterwards, another police vehicle with one officer was driving along Boyer Road to attend the scene when a dark coloured 4WD vehicle driving towards Bridgewater passed and shots were again fired. The police vehicle was not damaged on this occasion.
“Numerous police officers are currently in the New Norfolk and Bridgewater areas conducting searches to locate the offender.”
Anyone with information should call police on 131444 or report to Crimestoppers anonymously at crimestopperstas.com.au
Police Union of Tasmania president Colin Riley said Monday night’s incident highlighted the dangers police face.
“Policing is unpredictable and dangerous,” Mr Riley said.
“Everything can be quiet, and all of a sudden it goes chaotic, that is the nature of policing.
“That is why the Association and Tasmania Police have an agreement on minimum safe staffing levels at all seven 24 hour police stations, like Bridgewater.”
Mr Riley said it was despite officers retiring or leaving the force it was vital minimum staffing levels were maintained.
One Glenfern resident contacted by the Mercury said he knew nothing of the incident.
“What shooting?” he said.
The man who lives in Glenfern Rd said he had not been contacted by police as they continue searching for a man who is on the run after shooting at two police vehicles just before midnight on Monday.
“I’m disturbed there’s been a shooting here and we haven’t been told about it,” he said.
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