Detectives from Taskforce Summit, supported by specialist resources, have this last week undertaken a targeted search of the Mount Buffalo National Park as part of the ongoing search for wanted fugitive Desmond Freeman.
The extensive search involved a number of units from across Victoria Police including local members from Eastern Region, Search and Rescue, Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), Drone Unit and the Dog Squad as well as two New South Wales Police Force cadaver dogs.
Police have spent five days systematically searching 0.886 km2 in thick bush and heavy terrain, conducting line searches and clearing caves.
No trace of Freeman has been located at this time.
The area was previously searched on 12 September with the purpose of locating an active armed offender, however on this occasion, search teams were focussed on identifying and locating evidence or the body of Freeman.
The taskforce, based in the Great Alpine area, is led by detectives from Crime Command, including specialist resources from the Fugitive Squad, Armed Crime Squad, VIPER Taskforce, Special Operations Group, Search and Rescue Squad, and local Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems members.
The Homicide Squad continues to lead the investigation into the murders of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart.
Since 26 August, hundreds of Victoria Police officers and specialist resources from across Victoria, Australia and New Zealand have been tirelessly searching Porepunkah and surrounding areas at any one time for Freeman.
As part of this search, Victoria Police's tactical members, Public Order Response Team as well as other specialist resources, have searched large areas of the Mount Buffalo National Park.
Extensive searches of the park have also been conducted from the air, supported by Victoria Police Air Wing and other specialist support.
Detectives have investigated over 1950 pieces of intelligence, including information received from the public.
Despite these extensive searches and enquiries, police have not located Desmond Freeman.
Victoria Police will continue to maintain an enhanced presence in the local Porepunkah and Mount Buffalo National Park areas.
Anyone who sees Freeman should phone triple zero (000) immediately and not approach him.
A reward of up to $1 million remains for information leading to Freeman's arrest.
Anyone with any information on Freeman's location, or anything the community notices at the Mount Buffalo National Park should be reported to Crime Stoppers Victoria via 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Assistant Commissioner Martin O'Brien, Crime Command:
"The devastating loss of Neal and Vadim has struck at the heart of Victoria Police and had an enormous impact on the Porepunkah community.
"I want to reaffirm to the community that Victoria Police remains committed to doing everything we can - using every available resource and the necessary capabilities - to locate Desmond Freeman.
"We will continue to conduct targeted searches such as this one based on intelligence. We will maintain a presence in the community, and we are determined we will see this to resolution.
"Once again, I would strongly urge anyone with any information at all to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers."
