A police helicopter was at the airport in Benalla on Wednesday as part of the search for Desmond Freeman who is alleged to have killed two police officers at Porepunkah. Photo: Julie A Harrison Imagery.
The Benalla community was shocked to see a large police presence, including a helicopter and tactical vehicle, descend on the Rose City on Wednesday, October 1.
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A specialist police unit was seen at Benalla Airport and a large armoured vehicle, thought to be a BearCat, was seen driving through the CBD.
It appeared to be en-route to a property in Goomalibee where it was joined by a large cohort of police and up to 25 police vehicles.
The activity was in relation to the ongoing search for alleged murderer Dezi Freeman.
Desmond Filby (also known as Desmond, or Dezi, Freeman) is alleged to have killed two police officers in Porepunkah.
He is alleged to have shot and killed Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson at his Porepunkah property on August 26, as they attempted to execute a warrant for historical sexual abuse.
A police operation has been ongoing, since that day, to find Mr Freeman.
Victoria Police have confirmed that the “planned operation” at Goomalibee has now concluded.
“The property that was searched in Goomalibee has been cleared and a man, who was intercepted in Undera, has also been confirmed as not involved,” a police spokesperson said.
“He has been cleared of any link to our current investigation.
“The inquiries yesterday (Wednesday, October 1) formed part of our ongoing investigation and continued work by detectives to work through all avenues of inquiry.”
A Shepparton man who boards at a Goomalibee residence during the week for work witnessed the police activity on Kealy Rd on Wednesday night.
“I’ve never seen so many cops in one place; there would have been 15-plus unmarked vehicles, another 10 marked vehicles, a chopper and that humongous BearCat,” he said.
“As soon as we saw that BearCat thing, we 100 per cent knew it was part of the search for Desmond Freeman.”
The witness, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he and the homeowners at the property were a little nervous about the activity.
“It feels a bit scary to be so close to home,” he said.
“You don’t see this sort of thing, you see it on the news, but you don’t see it down a quiet country road.
“Everyone was out in their front yards watching.”
The man said there were around 20 residences along the narrow road and police vehicles had lined both sides and were parked in several properties’ driveways.
The homeowners have suspected there were several sovereign citizens “out that side of Benalla” for years, according to the man.
Police said detectives would continue to work through all avenues of inquiry.
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