New developments have led police to believe fugitive Dezi Freeman is being assisted by members of the public in his efforts to avoid apprehension.
Freeman, 56, remains on the run as a massive police search in the high country entered a seventh day.
Superintendent Brett Kahan addressed media outside of Benalla Police Station on Monday afternoon in the force’s first public appeal in the search since Friday, and he said he was changing the narrative.
“Last time I spoke in front of you, I appealed directly to Dezi Freeman to ring Triple Zero, I’m going to change tack a little bit… I extend that to anyone harbouring Dezi Freeman,” he said.
“Take up that offer whatever means you like, and we will formulate an appropriate surrender plan.”
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Superintendent Kahan said information suggested to police that people knew where Freeman was, but they had chosen not to come forward.
“People know the whereabouts of a person who has killed two cops,” he said.
“You are committing an extremely serious crime by harbouring or assisting in the escape of Dezi Freeman.”
There have yet to be any confirmed sightings of the alleged gunman since he was last seen fleeing his Rayner Track property on the outskirts of Porepunkah heavily armed last Tuesday morning.
He is alleged to have shot and killed Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart while they and eight other police officers were executing a search warrant.
A third officer was shot and continues to recover.
While not giving away the specifics of the search area, Superintendent Kahan said police have searched acres of dense land in difficult terrain and conditions, including areas where it was believed Freeman had previously populated.
Superintendent Kahan said police had returned to the scene of the shooting regularly, and as lately as Monday, but would not disclose what was being investigated there.
“We’re not going to stop, we owe it to Vadim, we owe it to Neal and we owe it to not only the Victoria Police community but the community at large,” he said.
The alleged gunman’s wife, Amalia Freeman, broke her silence on Sunday after she was arrested and released with her son on Thursday night.
Ms Freeman urged her husband to give himself up and surrender and said she was fully cooperating with police.
Superintendent Kahan was guarded when asked if Ms Freeman had given her full cooperation during the investigation.
“It’s two different things to be speaking with police and cooperating with police,” he said.
“We would invite full cooperating in this investigation.”
An information caravan was set up in Bright earlier on Monday, outside the church on Ireland Street and will be manned by police during daylight hours throughout the search.
The community have been encouraged to visit and share any information or concerns with police.
“We’re opening up other avenues for the public to approach us and give information about Dezi Freeman’s whereabouts,” Superintendent Kahan said.
Superintendent Kahan said the heavy police presence in and around the Porepunkah area will continue to reassure community safety.
“If you see those members driving around in marked police cars take the opportunity to stop, say g’day and offer whatever assistance you can,” he said.
“You might have the information that fills the gaps we’re looking to fill.”
Superintendent Kahan said there had been more than 450 submissions of information given to police from the general public.
“The outpouring of assistance from the local community has been simply remarkable,” he said.
Public messaging for the community remained the same, with people urged to remain vigilant and avoid travelling through the general Porepunkah area.
The Porepunkah area remained a no-fly zone until at least 11:30pm 2 September.
Police advise that if you see Freeman, call 000 immediately but do not 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
Victoria Police are preparing two funerals for their colleagues at their Melbourne-based academy, with Sen Const De Waart’s service to be held on Friday followed by Det Led Sen Const Thompson's service on Monday.
Both funerals will not be open to the public and the men will be farewelled with full police honours.
