A dramatic police manhunt across rural Victoria has concluded with the arrest of one of Australia's most wanted men, Dezi Freeman. The operation, which unfolded on Tuesday, saw a significant mobilisation of police resources and caused considerable alarm in the local community.
Freeman, a 34-year-old man wanted on multiple outstanding warrants, was the subject of an intense search after he was reportedly spotted by police in the town of Wedderburn. The situation escalated rapidly when Freeman allegedly fled the scene in a stolen white Toyota Hilux utility vehicle.
The search reached a critical point in the nearby locality of Korong Vale. According to Victoria Police, the suspect was allegedly armed with a firearm, heightening the risk and prompting a major response from specialised units.
Major Police Operation Unfolds
Authorities confirmed that the Air Wing was deployed to scour the area from above, while dozens of officers on the ground established a perimeter to contain the suspect. The public was urged to avoid the region as the tense situation developed.
The breakthrough came when police tracked the stolen vehicle to a remote property. Freeman was subsequently taken into custody without further incident. A police spokesperson confirmed that a firearm was also recovered at the scene.
Charges and Court Appearance
Dezi Freeman has been charged with a string of serious offences. These include theft of a motor vehicle, possessing a firearm as a prohibited person, and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
The arrested man faced Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, where the details of the alleged crime spree were laid bare. The successful arrest has brought relief to the rural communities involved, ending a period of heightened anxiety.
This incident has once again sparked conversations about police response protocols in remote areas and the challenges of tracking wanted individuals in the vast Australian bushland.
