A man residing near the area where Dezi Freeman, the suspect in the Porepunkah police killings, was last seen has been arrested during the ongoing search for the fugitive, according to police authorities.
Victoria Police announced on Sunday that a 61-year-old man was apprehended in Bright just before 5 pm on Friday. Police confiscated weapons and a quantity of cannabis from the house where the individual was found.
The 61-year-old suspect has been charged with the possession of an imitation firearm and the possession of cannabis.
Police have stated that whether the man from Bright has any connection with Freeman is part of the ongoing investigation into the fugitive, who is accused of killing two police officers.
The search for Freeman, who also goes by the name Desmond Filby, has entered its sixth day with hundreds of officers scouring Victoria’s high country wilderness. Despite adverse weather conditions, including blizzard-like snow and heavy rain, the search effort continues.
Freeman, known for his expertise in bush survival, was last witnessed fleeing into the woods following a lethal confrontation at a property in Porepunkah, around 300 kilometers northeast of Melbourne. He is accused of murdering Det. Leading Sen. Const. Neal Thompson, 59, and Sen. Const. Vadim De Waart, 35.
The police have received several reports of Freeman’s sighting since he went on the run, but none have been confirmed. Authorities are urging the public to report any sightings of the suspect.
The search operation has included the examination of abandoned mines, caves, and shelters in the Porepunkah area, involving more than 450 police officers.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/31/dez-freeman-accused-porepunkah-police-killer-dezi-manhunt-day-six-ntwnfb
