A police helicopter was at the airport in Benalla on Wednesday as part of the search for Desmond Freeman. Photo: Julie A Harrison Imagery
The search for Desmond Freeman, the man accused of shooting dead two Victoria Police officers and wounding a third at Porepunkah on August 26, moved towards Shepparton this week.
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Police entered and searched a property at Goomalibee, 16km west of Benalla and 50km east of Shepparton, on October 1, confirming that the activity was part of operations surrounding the investigation and search for Mr Freeman.
Police have continued to search the Mt Buffalo National Park for Desmond Freeman this week.
Police have confirmed that the Goomalibee property, which is 120km from the site of the August murders in Porepunkah, has been cleared and that a man, who was later intercepted 77km away in Undera, was not involved and has no link to their current investigation.
A Shepparton man who boards at a Goomalibee residence during the week for work witnessed the police activity on Kealy Rd on Wednesday night.
“I’ve never seen so many cops in one place; there would have been 15-plus unmarked vehicles, another 10 marked vehicles, a chopper and that humongous BearCat,” he said.
“As soon as we saw that BearCat thing, we 100 per cent knew it was part of the search (for Desmond Freeman).”
The witness, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he and the homeowners at the property were a little nervous about the activity.
“It feels a bit scary to be so close to home,” he said.
“You don’t see this sort of thing, you see it on the news, but you don’t see it down a quiet country road.
“Everyone was out in their front yards watching.”
The man said there were around 20 residences along the narrow road and police vehicles had lined both sides and were parked in several properties’ driveways.
Police and their dogs have been scouring bushland in the Mt Buffalo National Park.
The homeowners have suspected there were several sovereign citizens “out that side of Benalla” for years, according to the man.
In addition to the Goomalibee search, police continue to search the temporarily closed Mt Buffalo National Park for Mr Freeman, with almost 100 more officers from the Public Order Response Team conducting a sweep of the area.
Specialist search dogs from Queensland Police have been deployed to scour the bushland.
Victoria Police, including its tactical police, continue to maintain a significant presence in the Porepunkah area.
“We are committed to using every available resource and the necessary skills required to find Freeman,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
“Anyone who sees Freeman should phone 000 immediately. Do not approach him.”
A reward of up to $1 million remains on offer for information leading to Mr Freeman’s arrest.
Suspicious behaviour should be reported to Crime Stoppers Victoria via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
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