AN AUSTRALIAN FATHER and son have been arrested after eight years on the run as a decomposing body was found at their hideout.
The case of Gino and Mark Stocco has enthralled Australia’s media since they opened fire on police during a car chase almost two weeks ago, with authorities launching a manhunt across three states for the men dubbed “modern day bushrangers”.
The pair face murder charges after the body of a man was found at their hideout on a farm in Dunedoo, 345 kilometres northwest of Sydney.
New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner Clint Pheeney said the body found after the arrests was believed to be that of a 68-year-old man missing since 8 October.
“Overall, this has been a very intense operation which has spanned a number of states,” he added, as a murder investigation was launched.
Sky News reports that Gino had been jailed in 2007 for burglary, theft and deception, while Mark was jailed the same year for assaulting his mother.
After years on the run and numerous alleged crimes including arson, the pair allegedly opened fire on police on October 16 in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, before firing on police again a short time later.
What followed was 12 days of chasing which gripped Australia before they were arrested by police today.
The men have yet to be charged but police earlier said they wanted to charge Gino, 58, and Mark, 35, with 13 offences each, including attempted murder.
With AFP reporting
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