Police have pleaded to suspected gunman Dezi Freeman to turn himself in as one of the biggest manhunt’s in Victoria’s history continued for a third day. The force is throwing every available resource behind a mass search in the Porepunkah area after Freeman was alleged to have killed Wangaratta detective Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35 during a routine search warrant of his property on Rayner Track Tuesday. Another officer was shot in the lower body and continues to recover at hospital in Melbourne after surgery yesterday. Speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, Superintendent Brett Kahan spoke directly to Freeman and made a plea for him to surrender immediately. “If Dezi Freeman is watching this, ring Triple Zero, we will support a surrender,” he said. “And if you do see him, ring Triple Zero.” As of 2pm Thursday, Freeman remained at large, suspected to be heavily armed with multiple weapons. He was last sighted by police fleeing his property into the bush as seven other officers who attended the search warrant were made to bunker down. The officers were at the property as part of an investigation by the sexual offences and child abuse investigation teams. Deputy Commissioner Russell Barrett said there was still yet to be any confirmed sighting of Freeman throughout the complex, protracted search in extremely difficult terrain and the force was carefully working their way through it. “As a long serving police member, this is one of the most difficult matters I’ve dealt with and one of the most difficult matters in Victoria Police’s history,” he said. “We need the community support in this operation. “It's our highest priority to arrest the offender, and community support is paramount to that. “I hope for the arrest of Dezi Freeman and to bring him to justice.” Heavily armed police were reportedly spotted searching multiple properties within the Porepunkah area on Thursday. Deputy Commissioner Barrett said the force believed Freeman to still be in the Porepunkah area and warned against anyone considering to assist Freeman. “Anyone who may be harbouring him or supporting him, they need to reconsider, you’re committing a criminal offence, and we will prosecute them,” he said. He said he couldn't say if police think Freeman was still alive or dead. Superintendent Kahan said police were conducting patrols within the wider community and in neighbouring towns to reassure the public their safety was the force’s number one priority. Patrols took place as some local businesses and the Porepunkah Primary School reopened. “It’s really important to us particularly the school kids it’s really important we show that assistance,” he said. “We’re trying to broaden that messaging to people outside of Porepunkah just for people to be vigilant and to contact police if they see or hear anything.” Superintendent Kahan advised people heading to the snow this weekend to steer clear of Porepunkah, with alternate routes to be taken via Mount Beauty and Running Creek. “But if you have an option not to go to the snow this weekend, take that,” he said. A fresh emergency alert was sent out across the Porepunkah area, including Wangaratta residents on Thursday, urging the wider community to remain vigilant and to avoid the area unless essential. Investigators continue to seek the help of the community in locating Freeman. He is described as Caucasian, 183cm tall, medium build, short dark hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing dark green khaki tracksuit pants, dark green rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots and reading glasses. Investigators request anyone who sights him or has information about his whereabouts contact Triple Zero (000) immediately and not to approach him. Anyone with other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
