Operation in Benalla and Goomalibee amid Desmond Freeman manhunt

Victoria police conducted a planned operation on Wednesday in the Benalla and Goomalibee area as part of the continuing manhunt for Desmond "Dezi" Freeman, who is accused of killing two officers while they served a warrant at his Porepunkah property on August 26. Police said specialist tactical teams were deployed to the region, about 100 kilometres from Porepunkah, and that there was no immediate risk to community safety.

Officers searched a rural property at Goomalibee and intercepted a vehicle in Undera near Shepparton. Police later confirmed the property and the man stopped at Undera had been cleared of any involvement in the investigation. The force said it would not provide further comment on operational activities while detectives work through all lines of inquiry.

Freeman, 56, is accused of shooting Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de WaartHottart, 34, as they and other officers attempted to serve a warrant. A third detective was seriously injured and underwent surgery; seven other officers escaped physical injury. Freeman is believed to have fled into dense bushland in the mountainous Porepunkah area and has not been seen...