Victoria Police says a targeted search has focused on locating evidence or the body of fugitive Dezi Freeman, four months after he allegedly fatally shot two police officers in Porepunkah, in north-east Victoria.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Friday, a police spokesperson said an extensive targeted search of the Mount Buffalo National Park had been carried out in the past week as part of its ongoing investigation.<\/p>\n
Victoria Police said the same area was previously searched in September “with the purpose of locating an active armed offender”.<\/p>\n
“However on this occasion, search teams were focused on identifying and locating evidence or the body of Freeman,” a police spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Police conducted line searches and cleared caves during the latest search for Dezi Freeman. (Supplied: Victoria Police)<\/p>\n
Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson were shot dead while executing a warrant related to historic sexual offences at Mr Freeman’s rural property on August 26.<\/p>\n
A third officer was injured.<\/p>\n
During last week’s targeted search, officers scoured through less than 1 square kilometre of thick bush and heavy terrain.<\/p>\n
Police said no trace of Mr Freeman had been located during that time.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Drone Unit and the Dog Squad have been involved in the search. (Supplied: Victoria Police)<\/p>\n
Police vow to do ‘everything’ possible to find fugitive<\/p>\n
Mr Freeman was last seen heading towards bushland behind his property after the fatal shooting.<\/p>\n
Since then, hundreds of officers and specialist resources from across Victoria and other states of Australia as well as New Zealand have been poured into the search efforts.<\/p>\n
The main focus has been the Mount Buffalo National Park and surrounding areas.<\/p>\n
Detectives have also investigated almost 2,000 pieces of intelligence, including information from the public.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Victoria Police says it will maintain its presence around the national park and local area. (Supplied: Victoria Police)<\/p>\n
Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said despite not being able to locate Mr Freeman so far, officers were not giving up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I want to reaffirm to the community that Victoria Police remains committed to doing everything we can \u2014 using every available resource and the necessary capabilities \u2014 to locate Desmond Freeman,” he said<\/p>\n
“We will continue to conduct targeted searches such as this one based on intelligence. We will maintain a presence in the community, and we are determined we will see this to resolution.”<\/p>\n
During a press conference last month, after Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush had visited Porepunkah, he said detectives were unsure if Mr Freeman was dead or alive.<\/p>\n
“Even though we’re getting information, we’ve had no positive sightings and we’re still no clearer as to whether he’s dead or alive,” Commissioner Bush said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite the focus on searching for a body, a $1 million reward still remains for any information that leads to the arrest of Mr Freeman, the largest arrest reward in Victorian history.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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