Massive police search targets rural property near Benalla
A man has been cleared of involvement in the manhunt for Dezi Freeman after a large-scale police operation converged on a rural area in north-east Victoria on Wednesday. The dramatic pursuit focused on a property in the Goomalibee area, with investigators later confirming that the property had been cleared and that a separate man intercepted in the town of Undera—about 80 kilometres from Goomalibee—had also been cleared of any link to the current investigation.
“He has been cleared of any link to our current investigation,” a police spokesperson said, underscoring that authorities were pursuing every lead while keeping the focus squarely on Freeman, who is wanted in connection with a violent incident that left two police officers dead.
What unfolded on the ground
Specialist units were deployed as part of the planned operation, with as many as 20 police vehicles and a helicopter involved in the bid to locate the fugitive. The search centered on the hamlet of Goomalibee, near Benalla, an area roughly 100 kilometres west of Porepunkah. The search zone sits along a narrow country road lined with mature gum trees and blooming canola fields, with a small cluster of farm buildings and sheds set back from the main road.
The large rural property involved appeared quiet on Thursday morning, with no visible sign of investigators in the immediate vicinity. Despite the stillness, police described the movements on Thursday as continuing work by detectives, aimed at exploring all avenues of inquiry in the case.
Ground observations and local voices
Sharon Purcell, a Goomalibee farmer, told a local masthead she’d noticed “a whole lot of unmarked police cars” at a driveway on a neighboring property. She first saw emergency services around 2.45pm on Wednesday and said the helicopter had been hovering for roughly an hour before it departed. “The chopper’s gone now, it might have been up there for an hour,” she recalled. “There’s a heap of bloody vehicles, I’ve probably seen about 20.” Purcell’s account illustrates the scale and intensity of the operation, which aims to bring any potential threats or new information to light while Freeman remains at large.
Who is Dezi Freeman?
Dezi Freeman is the subject of the ongoing investigation after an incident on August 26 in which two officers were fatally shot while a warrant related to alleged historical sex abuse was being served. Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 35, and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, died in the line of duty during the confrontation. Another detective was seriously wounded in the same incident. The case has prompted a broad, high-priority manhunt across the region as investigators seek Freeman and all possible information to close the case.
Ongoing investigations and next steps
Police say the Thursday movements were part of the ongoing investigation and that detectives continue to explore all avenues. The operation reflects the seriousness with which authorities treat the alleged offence and the risks faced by officers who serve warrants in sensitive cases. While the search near Goomalibee has yielded no confirmed contact with Freeman, officers emphasise that the investigation remains active and far from complete. The community and regional law enforcement partners continue to monitor developments, with updates expected as more information becomes available.
Implications for the community
For residents in Benalla’s surrounding rural areas, the events have been unsettling, but public safety remains the primary concern. Police have stressed that the operation is targeted and time-bound, designed to maximize information gathering without prolonging disruption to local life. As investigators persist, the public is urged to report any sightings or information that could assist in locating Freeman or advancing the case.
