Victoria Police have announced a reward of up to £1 million for information leading to the arrest of fugitive Dezi Freeman, who is wanted for the alleged murder of two police officers in Porepunkah. The reward is the largest ever offered in Victoria for an arrest, according to Detective Inspector Dean Thomas from the homicide squad.
Freeman allegedly shot and killed the two officers while they were executing a search warrant at his residence on Rayner Track on 26 August. A third officer was seriously injured and is now recovering at home. Freeman has been on the run since, with no confirmed sightings, but police remain open to all possibilities, including that he may be dead from self-harm.
Detective Inspector Thomas warned the public not to search for Freeman, citing his propensity for violence and the risk of being mistaken for him by police. He emphasised that the reward is for information leading to Freeman's apprehension, not conviction, and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
The search for Freeman has involved 450 police officers and military support, covering over 100 properties. Police believe Freeman remains armed and dangerous, and have urged him to surrender peacefully. The funeral for one of the victims, Sen Const Vadim de Waart-Hottart, was held on Friday, with a service for Det Leading Sen Const Neal Thompson scheduled for Monday.
