A major police operation was under way on Tuesday in bushland near Porepunkah in Victoria's High Country as officers mounted their first significant search in several days for suspected cop killer Dezi Freeman.
About a dozen police vehicles moved down Buckland Valley Road around midday, with heavily armed officers wearing camouflage exiting vehicles and searching scrubland on foot while a police helicopter monitored the area. Authorities closed Buckland Valley Road and Mount Buffalo Road as the operation proceeded; two other police units and an ambulance were seen leaving the scene and travelling to an unknown destination.
The operation comes nearly three weeks after a violent incident at Freeman's makeshift home, reportedly built around an old bus on the outskirts of Porepunkah. On Aug. 26, authorities say Freeman ambushed officers as they attempted to serve a warrant, killing Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 35, and seriously wounding a third officer. Freeman, 56, fled into surrounding bushland and has not been located.
Victoria Police, assisted by specialist units and the Australian Defence Force, have been conducting an extensive manhunt that authorities say involves about 450 heavily armed and specialist personnel, trackers and other resources. Investigators have searched more than 100 properties in nearby communities and have received hundreds of public tips since announcing a A$1 million reward for information leading to Freeman's arrest.
Funeral services have been held at the Victoria Police Academy in Melbourne for the slain officers. Hundreds of colleagues lined streets to form guards of honour as coffins left the academy following services earlier this week and the previous Friday.
Police have described Freeman as a person of interest in the attack and have not confirmed any sightings since the initial incident. The operation on Tuesday was the most visible concentrated search in several days, with officers moving through dense scrub and using aerial support to scan the terrain.
Detectives have continued to appeal to the public for information and have urged anyone with knowledge of Freeman's whereabouts to contact police. Investigators have said they have followed up numerous leads, and searches and inquiries remain ongoing.
Victoria Police said the matter remains an active investigation and asked media and the public to avoid the closed areas to allow officers to work. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.