Suspected cop killer Dezi Freeman could be using abandoned bush tunnels to avoid capture in Victoria’s remote alpine wilderness, locals have revealed.
The 56-year-old allegedly gunned down a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable in ‘cold blood’ after an arrest warrant went bad at Freeman’s bush retreat in Porepunkah on Tuesday morning.
Daily Mail can reveal Freeman is known throughout the local community, situated at the foot of Mount Buffalo in Victoria’s north, and knows the surrounding terrain like the back of his hand.
Porepunkah resident Mark Bartolic said Freeman was no stranger to the bush that he fled into after allegedly murdering the officers.
‘There are a lot of caves here and a lot of dugouts that have been (left) from gold mining,’ he said.
‘I know caves. People know caves. I’m not even sure the police have looked under the (deep) tunnel that goes straight under Porepunkah here.’
Mr Bartolic said the surrounding wilderness was littered with caves where Freeman could be holed up.
‘I know of two myself and I know there are more. A lot more,’ he added.
Dezi Freeman has become Australia’s most wanted man after gunning down two police officers
Porepunkah resident Mark Bartolic fears Freeman will be difficult to locate
A Special Operations Group officer prepares to enter the wilderness to take down Freeman
Mr Bartolic said the combination of the rugged terrain, bad weather and potential hiding spots put police in a difficult situation.
‘Very difficult. It’s got to be an experienced policeman, maybe even a tracker or something to do the job,’ he said.
Choking back tears, Mr Bartolic said he knew both of the slain police officers and their alleged killer.
‘Look, the guy (Freeman), I knew him and he was friendly… he seemed like a decent fellow,’ he said.
‘I know his son. I know where he works. He’s a lovely boy so I just don’t know what has happened. Someone just flipped out and just lost it.’
Mr Bartolic said Freeman could survive in the wilderness for as long as he wanted.
‘He knows the area. He’s a very experienced bushman and I think it will be very hard to find him,’ he said.
‘I think he could survive alone out there for weeks… I feel it’s going to linger for a while.’
The home of Dezi Freeman, where he allegedly gunned down multiple police officers
The entrance to Freeman’s compound has been blocked by this red vehicle
Freeman lived on a bush track with views over one of Victoria’s most stunning alpine regions
Mr Bartolic said the 59-year-old detective, who was nearing retirement, was well-known in the community.
‘He was always there for the community,’ he added.
‘He was always there at the local football.
You’d see him at the supermarket, he’d stop and have a chat about this and that. A lovely guy. A good man. A good, honest man.’
Mr Bartolic said the entire community was stunned by the incident.
‘I think the whole community is shocked about it, especially because the two policemen are not coming home. It’s just horrendous for the families,’ he said.
‘Time will tell how it’s going to impact the town really, but I think everyone is still in shock and doesn’t really know how to handle it.’
On Wednesday, police removed the roadblock leading up to Freeman’s compound.
Heavily armed Special Operations Group officers are tasked with bringing Freeman to justice
Armoured vehicles have joined the manhunt for Freeman
Situated down a bush track, a vehicle remained parked across the property’s front gate, blocking any access to the home.
Text messages from Victoria Police warning residents to stay out of the area continue to appear on the mobile phones of anyone approaching the address.
Residents in the area remain on high alert, with some reporters welcomed by residents with rifles slung around their shoulders.
The local school at Porepunkah remained closed on Wednesday.
‘I locked the door. I don’t usually lock the door,’ Mr Bartolic said.
‘But I locked the door today when I went out because my wife’s there.’
On Wednesday, scores of police converged outside Feathertop Winery on the outskirts of Porepunkah, where they have established a mobile command centre.
Daily Mail observed heavily armed members of Victoria Police’s elite Special Operations Group preparing to enter the wilderness via a military-style chopper.
A police chopper was expected to fly the SOG team into the wilderness
Police dogs are also helping to track down the alleged killer.
Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush told reporters on Wednesday he believed Freeman had escaped arrest uninjured after allegedly gunning down the officers.
‘I don’t believe he was wounded, but I do believe that we did discharge shots in his direction,’ he said.
The Commissioner added that he didn’t want to reveal too much information about how police were tracking Freeman.
‘I totally appreciate the question, and people have a thirst for knowledge, but it’s very important that we don’t share too much information,’ he said.
‘We don’t know where he is or whether he has access to media, so we have to be very conscious of that, as to what we put in the public domain, other than general search techniques.
‘So I’m sure you’ll appreciate that. I have experience where people on the run will find a way to monitor the media and that would assist them in evading us.
‘So I’m not going to put too much in that domain.’
Anyone with information on Freeman’s whereabouts should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
