Cops swarm quiet street in manhunt for accused cop killer
Share this @internewscast.com

Police have swooped on properties in Wangaratta, about 75 kilometres from Porepunkah, on the eighth day of the manhunt for accused gunman Dezi Freeman.

Plain-clothed officers and unmarked police cars went door-to-door and knocked on windows to try and gather intelligence in the search for the suspected cop killer.

The officers appeared to zero in on one unit block in Wangaratta earlier today.

Wangaratta police officers
Plain-clothed officers and unmarked police cars went door-to-door and knocked on windows on a street in Wangaratta. (9News)

Retired police officer Ian Veitch told 9News that police had fears members of the public could be allowing Freeman to move around undetected.

Superintendent Brett Kahan said he yesterday he believed Freeman was being helped and urged anyone with information to come forward.

“They would have been looking at that from the start also, but certainly the assistance may not be that they’re hiding him,” Veitch said.

“It may be they’re assisting him. It’s allowing him to move around.”

Police also returned to the scene of the alleged crime in Porepunkah earlier today.

Fugitive Freeman’s semi-rural property was swarmed by officers, with bearcats and special operations crews seen visiting the home this morning, along with a helicopter spotted circling above.

Police in Porepunkah
There is now a big police presence back at Freeman’s property. (9News)

There has been no official sighting of Freeman since he fled into the bush on foot after allegedly gunning down two police officers and injuring a third.

Officers Neal Thompson, 59, and Vadim De Waart, 35, were killed when a team of 10 police officers arrived at Freeman’s home in Porepunkah to execute a search warrant related to historic sex offences on Tuesday, August 26.

Dezi Freeman
Accused killer Dezi Freeman. (9News)
Police helicopter in Porepunkah
A police helicopter seen in Porepunkah. (9News)

Including the initial response that Tuesday, today is the eighth day of the search for Freeman.

Police have spoken to neighbours and searched nearby properties in the manhunt for the country’s most wanted man.

Around 450 pieces of of intelligence have already been gathered from the public so far, but police now need more information.

Kahan called for Freeman to contact triple zero to make a “surrender plan” – and then, in his own words, “changed tack”.

Police search a plantation at Porepunkah on Monday. (Joe Armao)

“I extend that invitation to anyone who is harbouring, considering harbouring or knows something about the people who are harbouring [Freeman],” Kahan said.

“You are committing an extremely serious crime by harbouring or assisting in the escape of Dezi Freeman.”

Kahan said he believed somebody knew where Freeman was.

Amalia Freeman said she and her children felt “deep sorrow” for the shooting ambush. (9News)

Freeman’s wife Amalia also spoke out on Sunday, urging him to turn himself in. She is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Alpine Shire Council Mayor Sarah Nicholas visited Porepunkah yesterday and in a message posted online, praised the community’s strength.

“It’s great to see the camaraderie that the community members are showing towards and between each other,” she said.

The manhunt has entered its eighth day. (Joe Armao)

“I wanted to remind everybody to keep vigilant. There’s still a very active police presence and we need to be sure that we keep ourselves as safe as possible.”

She said the council was working on providing support services for those in need in the short and long term.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

SUV Hits Woman at Florida Hotel: Police Report

Inset: Elmoncy Sercle (Miami-Dade Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation). Background: Serena Hotel…

Automated Cameras to Begin Issuing Traffic Fines in a State Next Month

Drivers in Western Australia will be hit with fines from next month…

Religious dispute leads to fatal shooting of pastor: Police report

Background: News footage of Samantha Marion in court (WMC). Inset: Cell phone…

Police Report: Attempted Abduction of Toddler at Airport

Background: Miami International Airport (Google Maps). Inset: Alvina Agba (Miami-Dade County Corrections…

Judge Newman Placed on Hold Again for Avoiding Mental Health Evaluations

U.S. Circuit Judge Pauline Newman (YouTube). The nation’s most senior federal judge,…

Authorities Search for Two Suspects Following Release of Sydney Shooting CCTV Footage

Two people are sought and new CCTV has been released as police…

Northwestern University Professor Disappears During Morning Stroll

Police in Illinois are searching for a Northwestern University professor who reportedly…

Donna Adelson: Day 7 of Florida Family Matriarch’s Murder Trial [Live Coverage]

Testimony resumes Tuesday morning in the murder trial of Donna Adelson, a…

Malicious Teen Delivers Eulogy Following Parents’ Tragic Shooting, Suspect Identified

Jamie and Kristin Brock, who have a blended family with children from…

Colorado Resident Crashes Into Two Houses, Attempts to Hit Ex-Girlfriend’s Mom With Vehicle Before Being Stopped by Neighbors

Colorado authorities have apprehended a man after he drove his vehicle into…

Gainesville Resident Faces Charges for Allegedly Pointing AR-15 at Guests

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Alexander Miles Silver, 37, was taken into…

Car Stolen from Melbourne Home with Twin Boys Inside Causes ‘Endless Fear and Terror’

Exclusive: A Melbourne mother-of-three has spoken of her terror after two carjackers…