Victoria Police have announced a $1 million reward for information that leads to the capture of fugitive Dezi Freeman, who is accused of fatally shooting two police officers in Porepunkah on August 26.
This reward, the largest ever in Victoria’s history, is part of the ongoing search effort involving 450 police personnel and the Australian Defence Force, now in its 12th day.
A police spokesperson stated, ‘Currently, we have no knowledge of Freeman’s whereabouts and urge anyone with information to come forward.’
Freeman, 56, has now been on the run for 12 days after allegedly gunning down two police officers
Although there is no evidence suggesting Freeman is receiving help, the challenging terrain and necessity for supplies imply this could be the case.
‘Police are also open to the possibilities that he remains at large alone or is dead as a result of self-harm.’
Homicide Squad’s Detective Inspector Dean Thomas remarked: ‘While offering rewards for murder cases is standard practice, this is distinct because it is the largest sum offered purely for an arrest rather than a conviction in Victoria.’
‘This amount underscores the severity of these violent acts and our determination to apprehend Freeman quickly to ensure community safety.’
‘Our aim in offering this reward is that it will lead someone out there, who may not have been willing to come forward until this time, to contact police.
‘There is no doubt that up to a million dollars is a life changing amount of money for anyone and has the potential to completely change their circumstances.’
Detective Inspector Thomas said help from the public was crucial to bring the search to an end.
‘We believe this investigation will only be brought to resolution through assistance from members of the public and again, I am urging anyone with any information at all to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers,’ he said.
Dezi Freeman and his family were living in a bus on this property when the shootings took place on the outskirts of Porepunkah, 300km northeast of Melbourne
‘This could be sightings of Freeman, information you’re hearing in your local communities, even suspicious activity on your property – whatever it is, we want you to tell us.
‘I would also like to stress to members of the public that if you see Freeman, then we need you to call triple zero immediately because this will give police the very best chance of apprehending him.
‘Freeman has killed two people and injured a third, and it’s immensely important that we can bring him into custody safely as soon as possible – hopefully this reward helps do just that.’
The $1million reward comes as friends of Freeman told the Daily Mail that a bounty could backfire spectacularly – and trigger a deadly showdown between the accused cop killer and members of the public.
‘His issue is and always has been with authority. But if a few locals corner him in the bush, that’s all going to change, and this could end very badly,’ they said.
Before the huge reward was announced, locals said the rumour of one had fuelled ‘pub talk’ in nearby towns, with some openly boasting they could track Freeman through the bush.
‘All it’s going to take is a few drunken yahoos down the pub to get it into their heads they can do a better job and off they go,’ one local said.
‘Sure, the chances of them finding him are low, but we have a lot of hunters around here, a lot of people own guns and a lot of the town are fed up this has dragged on for so long.
Victoria Police have admitted that they won’t find Dezi Freeman unless they have help from the public
‘You can’t even get a coffee in the morning without ten cops ahead of you in the line, they are everywhere and he is still on the run.
‘It’s ridiculous and people have had enough of it.’
Another resident warned: ‘Dezi has trained himself military-style and has lived in these mountains for decades.
‘Anyone who thinks they can just head into the bush and bring him in doesn’t know what they’re dealing with.
‘It’s not bravado, it’s suicide, and it will only put more strain on our emergency services when they get lost and need rescuing.’
Freeman was last seen wearing dark green tracksuit pants, dark green rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots and reading glasses.
Police believe Freeman remains armed and advise members of the public not to approach him.
‘We urge the public in and around the township of Porepunkah to remain vigilant and report any sightings or suspicious behaviour by calling Triple Zero (000),’ they said.
Anyone with any information about Freeman’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
