A conman is allegedly pretending to collect donations for the families of slain Victorian police officers Neal Thompson and Vadm De Waart-Hottart, as the search for Dezi Freeman stretches into its third week.
Special Operations police were spotted entering the Mount Buffalo National Park on Wednesday morning, continuing a now weeks-long search for the alleged fugitive across dense bushland in the state’s northeast.
Police choppers continued to patrol the area over the National Park on the 23rd day of the search, which has been the largest tactical policing operation in Australia’s history.
Camera IconA conman is allegedly pretending to collect donations for the families of slain Victorian police officers Neal Thompson and Vadm De Waart-Hottart. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp AustraliaCamera IconSpecial Operations police were spotted entering the Mount Buffalo National Park on Wednesday. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia
Since the death of the officers, a conman has allegedly preyed upon the grieving community by impersonating police in an attempt to elicit donations for their families.
The fraudster is alleged to have posed as a Victoria Police officer in an attempt to garner donation packages from locals ranging from $500 to $2500.
“Anyone who receives a call like this is urged not to make a payment and instead report the matter to police by calling or visiting their local police station,” Victoria Police said.
“Victoria Police can confirm the only police-recognised fundraiser for officers and their families is Victoria Police Legacy.”
In exchange he would allegedly offer “business advertisement” in return for donations.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Russell Barrett, on Sunday, confirmed the search operation remained focused on the area around Porepunkah.
“Over 125 specialist detectives scoured and searched an area in the immediate vicinity of Freeman’s location,” he said.
“This included extremely rugged areas, by crawling through caves, by traversing rivers and walls, by searching plantations and gorges.
“It’s an extensive area, really difficult terrain.
“We searched for hundreds of properties – with and without warrant – made our way through abandoned structures, we searched mine shafts, bays, huts, and the operations continue.”
Police refused to speculate on the likelihood of any particular outcome suggesting “all options were still open regarding Freeman’s whereabouts.
Camera IconPolice choppers continued to patrol the area over the National Park on the 23rd day of the search. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp AustraliaCamera IconA remote police communications and surveillance device overlooks the Mount Buffalo National Park as the manhunt for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman continues. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia
“He may be in the area, he may be harboured, he may be dead,” Mr Barrett said.
Following the announcement on Sunday that the travel warning for the Porepunkah area had been lifted, the Victorian government announced a $2.5m support package for the residents of Porepunkah, to help them and their businesses recover from the fallout of the manhunt.
The package includes $5000 grants for eligible businesses that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses following the incident.
Camera IconThe property of alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman outside the Mount Buffalo township of Porepunkah. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp AustraliaCamera IconActing Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Russell Barrett, on Sunday, confirmed the search operation remained focused on the area around Porepunkah. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia
The Alpine Shire Council and the local business chamber will also be given financial support to support community activities and events, tourism marketing and promotional activities to boost visitor numbers to the Alpine and High Country region and funding for the Ride High Country Marketing Phase 2 project to support longer term tourism in the region.
Police have offered a $1m reward for information that leads to the capture of Mr Freeman.
Victoria Police have received more than 1100 pieces of information, but are yet to secure any significant leads in the search.
