Parents of slain cop motivate fugitive search team in Victoria’s high country as public warned to stay away

Police have urged the public to avoid Porepunkah, as the hunt for alleged cop killer Desmond Freeman nears the end of its 16th day. Freeman allegedly shot dead Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart at a semi-rural property near the town of Porepunkah on August 26, before fleeing into thick bushland. Police do not know, or will not say, whether Freeman is more likely to have taken his own life, is hunkered down in the thick bushland, or has managed to escape the Porepunkah area. Asked on Wednesday if police thought they were any closer to finding him, Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said these types of scenarios typically took a long time. “Any fugitive that goes on the run, history suggests they will seek support, whether that be associates or friends,” he said. Superintendent Craig Darlow urged the public to avoid the area. “If you don’t need to come to Porepunkah, don’t come here,” he said. “If you don’t need to go in the woods, don’t go in the woods.” Since the shootings on August 26, more than 2000 police, defence, SES and paramedics have been involved in the manhunt. Up to 450 officers have been involved in daily searches on the ground. Well over 100 houses had now been searched, plus caves and mines in the bushland. On the weekend, police announced a $1m reward for information leading to an arrest, plus the possibility of indemnity for this crucial information. “There’s a $1m reward. That’s a life-changing amount,” the Superintendent said. Police have received tips and “intelligence” from further afield than the Porepunkah area, as is typically in major manhunts. “I’d also like to thank the community in and around Porepunkah and Bright … they’ve been very cooperative in letting Victoria Police onto their property,” Superintendent Kelly said. The property where the officers died had been forensically examined, was no longer a crime scene, but was within the police’s “area of concern”. Police Forward Commander, Superintendent Craig Darlow, said the Porepunkah area was not safe, and police were prepared to search for months. “We cannot walk away when we have a man who’s killed two of our members, and injured a third, wandering around in bushland area heavily armed. “Desmond presents a significant risk to community. Whilst some of the people in the community might be frustrated with this (search) and have difficulties with this, we request that they be patient. “If you don’t need to come to Porepunkah; don’t come here. If you don’t need to go into the woods, don’t come into these woods. “Some of the terrain up here is harsh, but we are committed.” Following the officers’ funerals over the past week, Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said Constable de Waart-Hottart’s parents visited the police command post on Wednesday. “It was very emotional. It’s been a week of emotion for Victoria Police. But I believe, the attendance of Vadim’s parents will assist them … their attendance today was a boost. “I think it was an opportunity for them to really understand the enormity of the task we have at hand. “The police who were there, it was a very emotional time. Constable de Waart-Hottart had been seconded to the nearby town of Bright on the Thursday before his death. On Wednesday, the 34-year-old Constable’s mother Carolina and father Alain flew by helicopter to the police command post and then visited the Bright Police Station. Superintendent Kelly said the search was “not at all” getting frustrating, police were determined, the police funerals and the visit from the Constable’s parents had “powered us on”. Images published on Wednesday taken by a family member of Freeman’s, showed police trying to get into the converted bus where he lived with his family shortly before the officers were killed, and another officer was seriously injured. Superintendent Kelly confirmed the images were not from a police body cam. “It is both distressing and disappointing. I can only imagine the impact that’s had on the families of Neal and Vadim,” he said.