Manhunt for Accomplices After Fugitive Cop-Killer's 216-Day Run Ends in Shootout
A major investigation is now underway to identify and apprehend individuals who assisted Australia's most wanted fugitive, Dezi Freeman, in evading law enforcement for an extensive period of seven months. The 56-year-old double cop-killer, who spent 216 days on the run, was ultimately shot dead during a dramatic three-hour standoff with police on Monday.
Remote Hideout Discovered
Victoria Police Special Operations Group located Freeman hiding within a shipping container on a secluded property in Thologolong, near Walwa, situated along the Victoria-New South Wales border. This remote encampment lies approximately 188 kilometres north-east of Porepunkah, where Freeman committed the brutal murders of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, aged 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 34, on August 26 last year before fleeing the scene.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush emphasised the critical nature of the ongoing inquiry, stating, 'We don't know at what point he left the Porepunkah area and transferred to where he was found. It's very important for us to understand how long he's been here and who else was complicit in getting him here, and then caring for him or providing him with food and other things to this point.'
Property Owner Sought
A key focus of the investigation involves locating and interviewing the owner of the isolated, ramshackle property where Freeman sought refuge for an undetermined duration. Commissioner Bush confirmed, 'We're still trying to locate and speak with that person. We know who that person is, but we're yet to speak with him.' He declined to comment on whether the individual has any prior history with law enforcement.
The property, known as Tholo Farm, is owned by Rick Sutherland, who is currently believed to be on holiday in Tasmania. It should be noted that there is no suggestion Mr Sutherland was involved in concealing Freeman or aiding his escape from Porepunkah. His brother, Neil Sutherland, who resides nearby, informed reporters that Rick has been in Tasmania for the past three months and insisted he is not associated with sovereign citizen movements.
Potential Legal Consequences
When questioned about whether police have identified other suspects who may have assisted Freeman, Commissioner Bush remained cautious, responding, 'Not at this point... Quite possibly so in the future, but not at this point.' He issued a stern warning, indicating that anyone found to have aided Freeman could face substantial prison time, though he noted that sentencing would ultimately be at the discretion of the presiding judge.
The exact length of Freeman's stay at the Thologolong property remains uncertain. Commissioner Bush acknowledged, 'That's a really important question and a really important fact that our investigators will work their way through. We'll probably have to track back from this point to when he was last seen... We will work that out, we will track backwards from here to ascertain how long he's been here and who helped him to be here.'
Final Confrontation
Aerial footage of the site reveals multiple shipping containers, tarpaulins, and various vehicles scattered across the area, which is situated a considerable distance from the main road. Police descended upon the property just after 5:30 AM on Monday, engaging in negotiations with Freeman for three hours. The standoff culminated in a volley of gunfire after Freeman allegedly advanced towards officers with what is believed to be a firearm taken from one of the constables he murdered seven months earlier.
