POLICE have issued a £500,000 bounty for information leading to the arrest of a gunman who allegedly shot dead two cops in a brutal “execution”.
A major manhunt for 56-year-old Dezi Bird Freeman, who has been on the run for 12 days, is still underway as authorities desperately try to piece together his last known movements.
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The frantic search kicked off after Freeman allegedly gunned down three cops in what police sources dubbed a “straight out execution” in Australia on August 26.
A group of 10 officers were trying to execute a search warrant at a property in Porepunkah, northeast Victoria, before the horror shooting unfolded.
Policemen Neal Thompson, 59, and Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 35, were killed, while a third cop was seriously injured in the thigh.
Tragic Thompson was reportedly just days away from retirement before the fatal shooting.
The suspect, also known as Filby, is believed to have fled into bushland near the Rayner Track home after the terrifying attack.
Victoria police said on Saturday: “As part of the effort to locate Freeman and bring him into custody peacefully and safely, police are offering a reward of up to AU$1million (£485,000) for information on his whereabouts that leads to his arrest.”
They added as part of the bombshell update: “This reward represents the largest ever offered in Victoria for an arrest.”
Also known as the “homicidal Bear Grylls“, Freeman has already had few brushes with the law.
He is well-known to police, having been in and out of court for driving and traffic offences, defying police orders, and verbally abusing a judge in a roadside drug-test case last year.
In 2021, he was arrested at an anti-government protest.
He has also previously compared police to Nazis.
Freeman is also a self-proclaimed “Sovereign Citizen” – part of a fringe movement that rejects the authorities of Australian laws and government.
Adherents to the extreme libertarian ideology believe they have a right to live under their own laws without any government interference.
With Freeman’s whereabouts still unknown the urgent search involving over 450 officers is still aiming to track down the alleged shooter.
It comes after Freeman’s family handed themselves in amid speculation they could have been kidnapped by him.
Heavily armed cops have been seen searching Freeman’s property – while over 100 local homes have been raided as part of the manhunt.
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Mounting speculation also suggested Freeman could have been hiding in a cave or mineshaft as part of his 12-day escape.
A no-fly zone was also in place – banning all aircraft, including drones, from flying within a 7.5km zone of Porepunkah Airport.
Police said: “Given the suspect in this matter is heavily armed, this condition has been granted due to the risk to aircraft and drones.”
The attack unfolded in the small Alpine town of Porepunkah – where about 1,000 residents live.
The sleepy village which has been rocked by the recent tragedy is located 186 miles north-east of Melbourne.
Following the devastating attack, a local primary school was plunged into lockdown, while the Alpine shire council closed all public facilities “effective immediately”.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese said: “Our thoughts are with the police for the work they do, each and every day.
“The men and women who wear the uniform of the police force, take risks each and every day.”
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