Police have told locals around the Nowendoc and Gloucester high country to lock up and look out after a special briefing in Gloucester today to give them an update on the manhunt for suspected killer Malcolm Naden.
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Police delivered another warning to locals confirming they know Naden is now armed with a semi-automatic firearm he stole about 10 days ago.
Assistant commissioner Carlene York told media in Gloucester yesterday that Naden had stolen the .22 calibre rifle and ammunition as well as food, clothing and other personal items from an unoccupied hut somewhere in dense bushland near the Gloucester area.
The break-in had been reported by the owner when he returned after a few days away and police have since confirmed Naden had been in the hut.
They won't say how they know it was Naden but they did say they don't assume all break-ins are the work of the fugitive but they do have to assess the intelligence they gather at each.
Ms York said the latest update was to remind the public that Naden was still out there.
She said the theft was of "extreme concern" and Naden was classified as being of "extreme risk".
"He is wanted for murder, he shot at a police officer," Ms York said. "He will got to any extremes not to go into custody"
She said police had always assumed he had access to firearms, and police recovered two weapons from Nowendoc following the shooting of the police officer.
"We never let police go out without thinking he was armed," she said. "We haven't given up on the search."
Ms York has confirmed about 40 to 50 officers go out every day to search for the bushman.
"We're keeping our operational strategies close to our chest but we're out there every day looking for him."
She said their aim was to "surround and contain" Naden and negotiate him out and bring him before a court of law.
She said the officer who had been shot at Nowendoc in early December was back on duty and back working with the task force.
"He's an inspiration to the rest of the team," Ms York said
She said he was "exceptionally motivated to come back".
The latest break-in confirmed the police operation was in the right area and police were committed to continuing the operation.
She said Naden was "determined not to get caught" and didn't seem to need human contact.
She urged residents to lock up all weapons and admitted there could be unregistered firearms on isolated properties and she urged those owners to lock them up and also register them.
If weapons were stolen, police needed to know as the safety of officers taking part in the Strike Force search was more at risk.
"Lock up your houses and stores. I don't want him (Naden) to get food or supplies," she said.
Assistant Commissioner York said police had no information that anyone was helping Naden.
"He seems to be a loner and doesn't need human contact. There's no evidence anyone is helping him."
She stressed that Nadan was extremely dangerous. In a news update to the Leader on Monday, Ms York spoke about Naden's violent nature and his willingness to use firearms to avoid capture.
"He has murdered his cousin, shot an officer. He is not a person you want to help."
The Strike Force would continue to operate whileever there was confirmation that Naden was in the area.
Concentrating search around the Gloucester-Nowendoc area.
"He's a murderer, he does not have hero status in my mind.
She also admitted that rain had continued to hamper the search for him.
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