Victoria’s police chief SNAPS at reporter’s question about why 450 cops still haven’t found wanted fugitive Dezi Freeman

Victoria’s top cop Mike Bush has snapped back at a reporter’s question about why it’s taking so long for 450 police officers to hunt down Dezi Freeman.

A reporter asked: ‘This has gone on for nine days. Why is it so difficult?’

‘You’re here, you can see the environment,’ Commissioner Bush snapped.

‘Searching for one person in this terrain is extremely challenging. We have the best people on this task and I have full confidence in them.’

More than 100 properties have been searched in Porepunkah and nearby towns in the last week.

But despite hundreds of phone calls and information from the community and some of Freeman’s associates, they are no closer to finding him.

Police are still considering whether Freeman is being harbored.

‘I won’t go into direct intelligence, but our elite team considers every possibility and deploys accordingly. We appeal not just to him but to all his associates: he does not deserve to be protected. He needs to be in custody and held accountable,’ Mr Bush said.

Freeman’s wife may be charged, Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly also said at the press conference.

‘She has been interviewed for obstructing police at the time of the incident. A brief of evidence will be compiled, and she may be charged in due course. We are working with her solicitor and expect further engagement,’ Det. Supt. Kelly said.

‘We’ve built a good picture of locations previously frequented by associates and friends.

‘We remain open to receiving further information that will lead to a safe arrest. That safe arrest could occur if the person responsible hands himself in – and we are still open to that possibility.’

When asked about the financial cost of the search, Mr Bush didn’t give a figure, instead replying that it was a significant amount and that taxpayers expected it.He said he would be able to reveal the full cost at a later date.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush and Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly from Crime Command are scheduled to give an update on the manhunt for Dezi Freeman at 1.30pm Wednesday.

The press conference will be held at a police command post in Ovens, 25km from Porepunkah, the town at the centre of the week-long search.

• Dezi Freeman, 56, remains on the run, one week after he allegedly gunned down Detective Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, at his Porepunkah property in Victoria’s High Country.
• Ten officers attended the property to serve a warrant over historic sexual assault charges involving a minor when Freeman allegedly opened fire, killing two and wounding a third.
• Despite the huge operation, there have been no confirmed sightings, but police insist they believe Freeman is still alive in the region.
• More than 450 heavily armed officers, special operations units and air support are scouring the mountainous terrain in search of him. More police are expected to join the manhunt in the coming days.
• Officers swarmed on a rural property in nearby Buckland on Wednesday, a day after gun-toting cops and sniffer dogs converged on a small residential area just outside Porepunkah
• Family and former neighbours have revealed that Freeman has been on a disability pension for more than two decades, despite the sovereign citizen’s hatred of government and authority.

Alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman is likely to be hiding in a mineshaft or underground bunker, according to experts.

Freeman remains on the run in rugged bushland in Victoria’s high country, eight days after he allegedly shot dead two officers at his Porepunkah property.

Experts have warned the terrain, weather conditions and Freeman’s survival skills could all potentially delay his capture.

Amateur goldfields historian Darby Lee believes the fugitive has bunkered down to avoid being captured by police helicopters and drones equipped with infrared imaging technology.

‘I’ve got a feeling he’s underground … a mineshaft or a bunker. If they’re not getting pictures or heat signals, he’s underground,’ he told The Guardian.

Survivalist and author Ky Furneaux agreed.

‘At this time of year his biggest liability will be exposure to cold so he’ll need shelter first. If you’re lost in the Alps, you don’t worry about water, you’ll be OK,’ she said.

‘If they’re old-style peppers, they have it full of water, water filters, food supplies, stashes to get them through probably about three months … a cave maintains a temperature that’s livable all year round, and it’s heatable if it gets cold.’

Police are focusing on the Buckland River area, just outside Porepunkah, as their desperate search for Dezi Freeman enters its ninth day.

Several tactical police and sniffer dogs attended an address on Buckland River Road, at about 9.30am on Wednesday.

Officers were seen chatting to a family, including a woman with a baby.

It is understood police advised the family they would be converging on their property.

It is not suggested the family is involved with Freeman.

At one point, an officer was seen crouched by a tree with his weapon drawn.

Police also inspected a shed on the property.

It is understood police are currently going door-to-door in the area.

The police helicopter also returned to the skies to scour the scene ftrom above.

This morning’s events come after police focused on a different area of the Buckland River yesterday.