Nick Martin killing: Man charged over killing of Rebels boss

A man described as a “brilliant” neighbour has been charged over the death of Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin.

A 34-year-old man has briefly faced court charged with murdering Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin, who was publicly assassinated in front of terrified children last year.

The man, who cannot be named, was arrested at his Waikiki home, in Perth’s south, on Monday.

Police revealed on Wednesday that he had been charged with one count of murder and two counts of unlawful act or omission with intent to harm.

The man faced a Perth court on Wednesday and the magistrate ordered that he be remanded in custody until his next appearance on April 28.

A suppression order has been made preventing the publication of anything that might reveal his identity.

Nick Martin, pictured with wife Amanda, was gunned down at Perth Motorplex on December 12.

On Monday night police put a ring of steel around the police station where he was being interviewed as part of a deep security operation to protect him.

Detectives were expected to spend Monday night grilling him about the most high-profile assassination in Western Australia in two decades.

Local detectives and officers from the Australian Federal Police spent Monday swarming over a host of properties in Perth, including two in the southern suburbs.

A house in Waikiki where the man lived with his girlfriend was raided. Police carted evidence bags out of the home and towed away cars and a boat.

Bushland in nearby Warnbro was searched using ground probes.

Police did not issue a statement about the arrest but the presence of the AFP, the vast number of raids and the precise way they were executed suggests yesterday’s action was the result of a co-ordinated and long-running surveillance operation.

Nick Martin pictured with his wife Amanda. Picture: Supplied

At least a dozen AFP officers remained on alert at the Waikiki home late on Monday night.

Nearby residents were shocked to learn that their “brilliant” neighbour of 10 years was being questioned in relation to Martin.

“He’s brilliant, a nice young bloke … ask the whole street, nobody has ever had a problem with him,” one said.

Martin was shot dead at Perth Motorplex on December 12.

The 51-year-old was gunned down at the Kwinana race ring about 8.30pm.

He died at the scene and 31-year-old former Gold Coast bikie Ricky Chapman was injured. A five-year-old boy was also hurt.

The gangland execution came three weeks after Martin was bashed at a Scarborough bar by a Hells Angels enforcer.