Australia’s Most Wanted: Desperate Manhunt for “Sovereign Citizen” Cop Killer Intensifies – $1 Million Reward Offered for Information Leading to Capture of Deadly Fugitive
- Victoria police offer record-breaking $1 million reward for information leading to the capture of 56-year-old Desmond Freeman, aka Dezi Freeman, who allegedly killed two police officers on a rural property
- Filby, a self-proclaimed “sovereign citizen,” is believed to be armed and dangerous, with expert bushcraft skills, and may be alone or have assistance in the remote Victorian high country
- Police fear Freeman may harm himself or others, as the search area includes the town of Porepunkah, about 300 km northeast of Melbourne, where he allegedly fled into the bush in wintry weather
The manhunt for Australia’s most wanted fugitive, Desmond Freeman, has reached a fever pitch, with Victorian authorities offering a record-breaking $1 million reward for information leading to his capture. Freeman, also known as Dezi Freeman, is accused of killing two police officers on a rural property in Porepunkah, Victoria, on August 26.
The 56-year-old suspect, believed to be a “sovereign citizen” who regards the government as illegitimate, allegedly fired on a team of 10 police officers, including members of the sexual offences and child investigation team, when they arrived at his property to execute a search warrant. Freeman is described as a master of bushcraft, with multiple powerful firearms at his disposal.
In a desperate bid to catch Freeman, police have deployed more than 450 officers to the remote high country, where the suspect is thought to be hiding. “As part of the effort to locate Freeman and bring him into custody peacefully and safely, police are offering a reward of up to $1m for information on his whereabouts that leads to his arrest,” Victoria police said in a statement.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan paid tribute to the two slain officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, amid what she said was the “huge operation” by authorities to catch Freeman. The search area includes the town of Porepunkah, about 300 km northeast of state capital Melbourne, where Freeman allegedly ran into the bush in wintry weather.
Police are bracing for the worst, with Freeman’s whereabouts and intentions unknown. He may be alone or have assistance, or could be “dead as a result of self-harm”, authorities warned. The record-breaking reward is a testament to the desperation of the situation, as authorities race against time to capture the deadly fugitive.