Yes, I wondered about the possibility of this search having been staged when it was called off at 3.30ish.
My "maybe"theory is that the search was conducted at that location for all intents and purposes, but in fact, while trail bikes were roaring, helicopters "thwapping", sniffer dogs barking, there may have been some very specific searching undertaken at a different location a little further away.
IMO with the noise and action happening at the stated search site, other "assets" would have been unlikely to attract attention at an alternative location, if it were a small presence, and public access was restricted ("Standard procedure when helicopters in the area/emergency access" etc etc if any questions asked.)
With this theory, the issue of resources would arise, so I don't believe that the whole thing could have been a staged exercise. However, that location may have been a "base" of sorts for some specialists at another location, with a thorough search there still being quite justified, maybe even as a process of elimination if nothing else.
There would have to be an extremely good reason for such a scenarIo to be approved. IMO it would have to be for the purposes of creating a red herring which could cause an accomplice to the alleged perpetrator, (maybe someone who assisted PS after the fact) to take some action believing it would be safe to do so... ((I know this is all rather a stretch, but "stranger things etc...)
IMO other assets such as listening devices and digital trackers will be doing double time.
(It has occurred to me that Vicpol may also consider the use of an undercover officer. I'm not sure if this is something
which Vicpol does, but it was done successfully in South Australia over a decade ago, during the investigation of the murder of Glenys Hayward.
All MOO
