Authorities have detained two individuals in connection with the ongoing search for Dezi Freeman, the notorious fugitive wanted for killing a police officer.

Officials revealed that these arrests are linked to the investigation concerning Freeman’s whereabouts following the tragic events that unfolded last August in Porepunkah.

The arrested individuals are currently being questioned, although they have no familial ties to Freeman.

Law enforcement executed a raid on a property located in the rural north-eastern region of Victoria.

Members of the Special Operations Group dedicated three hours to negotiating with Freeman in hopes of achieving a peaceful resolution, but the situation escalated when gunfire erupted.

“He discharged two rounds, prompting a response from eight officers, who returned fire, hitting him at least 20 times,” reported John Silvester, a crime writer for The Age, during an interview with 3AW.

“In all probability, the gun was shot out of his hand because it was some distance away.”

Investigators had been tracking a car coming and going from 56-year-old Freeman’s hideout before he was killed in a shootout about 8.30am on Monday, 9News understands.

9News has been told officers had been surveilling Freeman for several days after watching the car, which repeatedly made the almost 200-kilometre trip between Porepunkah and Thologolong, located on the Victoria-NSW border.

Police have asserted it would have been very difficult for the fugitive to remain hidden for so long without help.