Fugitive Jonathan Dick arrested in Melbourne CBD after being tackled by restaurant worker
One of the men who helped capture Jonathan Dick was allegedly attacked by the fugitive with a hammer last year. It comes after Mr Dick fronted a Melbourne court tonight.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of the men who helped capture fugitive Jonathan Dick is the same man who was allegedly attacked by him with a hammer in Keilor last year.
The man can be revealed as David Cammarata, who was ambushed outside his family home last August.
Police are investigating whether Mr Cammarata was being stalked in the days before the dramatic citizen’s arrest.
The courageous bystanders who assisted with the capture of fugitive Mr Dick could potentially receive the $100,000 reward for his arrest.
It comes after Mr Dick was charged with one count of murder when he appeared for a brief hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tonight.
The court heard he was seen by a medical practitioner earlier today. He was remanded, to appear for a filing hearing tomorrow.
One of Victoria’s most wanted men, Mr Dick was arrested in Melbourne’s CBD this morning after being on the run for more than two-and-a-half years.
Mr Dick was wanted by police for the 2017 murder of his brother, David, at Westfield Doncaster as well as the hammer attack on former friend, Mr Cammarata.
“Absolutely, certainly this is the case where these people have acted bravely in terms of getting him under arrest,” Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said.
“They’ll certainly be under consideration for that reward.”
He said three people had carried out a citizen’s arrest.
One of the trio was known to Mr Dick.
“From what I understand, he was recognised by one of the people that had made that citizen’s arrest. What we’re actually looking at the moment is how he came to be near them,” Mr Ashton said.
Police arrested Mr Dick following an alleged assault in Hosier Lane at 7.40am.
A worker from a nearby restaurant tackled Mr Dick to the ground, restraining him before police arrived.
All three men were injured and the Herald Sun understands Mr Dick was arrested on the ground close to the Wilson carpark on Flinders St.
The men were taken to hospital in ambulance just before 9am, with the restaurant worker suffering suspected wrist injuries.
Mr Dick was taken to the secure ward at St Vincent’s under police guard, suffering minor injuries.
He was in clean clothes and sporting a fresh haircut when he was led away by police this morning.
Mr Ashton said Victoria Police was “very grateful” to have Mr Dick in custody.
“We strongly believe he represented a significant risk to community safety while he was out and about. We’re very relieved,” he said.
Mr Ashton said the search for the fugitive had taken so long because Mr Dick appeared to have gone off the grid and was sleeping rough.
“He didn’t rely on his regular network of people that we knew about. It seems as though of recent times he’s been sleeping rough and that’s made the task even more challenging,” Mr Ashton said.
“There are some occasions, and they’re pretty rare, where someone is at large for this length of time.”
Homicide Squad detectives are expected to question Mr Dick about how he managed to evade capture for so long.
Mr Ashton said the case would be reviewed by the fugitive taskforce.
“Certainly what we do from here once he’s under arrest, which he now is, we understand why and how and actually go into looking at where he has been and see what learnings we can get out of that,” he said.
Mr Ashton said he was unable to comment on when police last sighted Mr Dick or whether the man involved in the citizen’s arrest was the same person who was allegedly assaulted by Mr Dick in Keilor in August last year.
POLICE SWARM BLOODSTAINED CRIME SCENE
A blood-covered knife with a red handle could be seen at the entrance of the Wilsons carpark crime scene, as well as pools of blood leading on to Flinders St.
The Critical Incident Response Team and dozens of police officers flooded the scene this morning, with forensic investigators focusing on two separate scenes on Flinders St and Rutledge Lane, just off Hosier Lane.
The areas of interest are about 100m from each other.
They collected the knife from the ground at the entrance to the car park on Flinders St before turning their attention to an abandoned bike in the laneway.
A black helmet and a white plastic bucket hung from the handlebars of the blue bike, believed to be Mr Dick’s.
A hammer, 25cm knife and scissors were among the items recovered from the bucket.
Also inside the white bucket were items of clothing, including multiple pairs of gloves, an orange high vis jacket and a copy of the Herald Sun.
Members of the forensic team took swabs from the bike, shortly before 2pm.
One end of Hosier Lane was cordoned off by police, from Bar Tini to past Movida.
The tourist drawcard has since reopened to the public.
Despite the police drama, tourists are still taking photos at the other end of the heavily graffitied laneway — a popular Melbourne tourist attraction.
Shop owners along the tourist strip arrived to open their stores at 8am, only to be turned away.
A coffee shop worker told the Herald Sun he saw at least 10 officers outside a carpark on Flinders St.
Chefs who were already inside Movida preparing for the day were told to remain inside.
TWO-YEAR HUNT FOR WANTED MAN
Mr Dick was wanted by police for the murder of his brother, David, on February 3, 2017.
Investigators believe the two brothers may have fallen out in a row over property.
Jonathan and David Dick’s mother, Carol Cloke, said she was overwhelmed by the news of this morning’s arrest.
“I would like to thank everyone who has given me so much support over the past two and a half years, particularly my family and friends,” she said.
“To those family and friends who have tried to contact me today, I will call when I feel able to.
“I’m overwhelmed by the news this morning that my son has been found. All I ever wanted was for him to be found alive and I feel comfort in that.
“I would also like to thank Victoria Police who have always been here for me and kept me updated. I have never felt alone during this because of their support.”
Earlier this year, Victoria Police announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
Mr Dick is also wanted over a non-fatal hammer attack on a former friend in Keilor on August 23 last year.
MORE NEWS:
FIANCEE’S MOVING TRIBUTE TO MAN SLAIN IN NZ
NIGHTCLUB FIGURE GRINS AHEAD OF BALI COURT DATE
Police revealed in October they believed Mr Dick has been “hiding in plain sight”, with someone unwittingly helping him evade capture since the alleged brutal attack more than two years go.
Images of Mr Dick’s leg tattoos were previously released, with police hoping people may notice them if he wore shorts during warm weather.
The first tattoo is of Wolverine v Sabretooth on his right thigh, while the second depicts The Incredible Hulk and is believed to be on his left lower leg.
The homicide squad also released footage of Mr Dick speaking at a wedding in 2007 in the hope somebody may recognise the fugitive from his mannerisms and speech.