Police hunting Jonathan Dick after Keilor assault
A DANGEROUS fugitive on the run for 18 months after the samurai sword slashing murder of his brother may be staying under the radar with the help of unwitting people.
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A DANGEROUS fugitive on the run for 18 months after the samurai sword slashing murder of his brother may be staying under the radar with the help of unwitting people.
Police are considering the theory Jonathan Dick has been assisted by people who may not realise that he is on the state’s most-wanted list.
MORE: VICTORIA POLICE RENEW CALLS TO FIND FUGITIVES
POLICE APPEAL FOR JONATHAN DICK TO COME FORWARD
Mr Dick made a sudden violent comeback into the public spotlight on Thursday with the unprovoked attack on a close school mate in the driveway of the man’s Keilor home.
The victim, a 38-year-old dad, was attacked from behind in the driveway of his property this morning before Dick disappeared again.
He was smashed in the head but fought back and was able to identify the attacker as his close friend whom he had known since their time growing up in Wallan and attending Whittlesea High School.
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It’s understood he had been to the victim’s house when they first bought it a decade ago, but had become estranged from many friends and preferring to live a more reclusive life after becoming severely mentally ill.
He had grown his hair, was clean-shaven and did not appear as if he had been camping or living rough.
Family and friends have made public pleas for the 40-year-old to come forward as they fear he could be a danger to himself or others.
In a statement read by senior police on Thursday, his mother, Carol, said: “I miss you so much and so does your brother, Simon.
“I’d like you to reach out to us, Jonathan. We’re here to help you and we love you.”
Mr Dick suffers from serious mental illnesses which are believed to have worsened following a psychotic episode about a decade ago.
On February 3 last year, his brother, David, 36, was found bleeding in the carpark of the Westfield Doncaster shopping centre and could not be saved.
Police believe he was attacked with a samurai sword on his way to work.
CCTV from the area led detectives to believe he had died at the hands of his older brother. Mr Dick has not been seen since but at 7am yesterday, his friend came face-to-face with him in a violent confrontation on Church St, Keilor.
A former friend of Dick, and a relative of the victim, said the family was traumatised.
“It’s had a huge impact — the kids were there to watch every single bit of it so it’s heartbreaking to know that,” he said.
“They were just heading off to work and getting ready like any other normal Melbourne family.”
Friends and relatives had feared Dick would have been a danger to himself and they were desperate to find him — for his own safety and that of the community.
There was no bad blood between him and the victim of Thursday’s assault nor anything the family knew of that would trigger the attack.
“It’s been out of the blue,” the relative said.
“The last time we heard from him was 10 years ago, we caught up and found out he was mentally ill.
“Since after the Westfield incident no one was heard anything of him at all.
“A lot of people have given information to the police, anything to help Jono to try to find him … they don’t want him to hurt himself, there is a lot of compassion for him.”
Police swooped after the attack, searching the area and gullies of Brimbank Park.
Homicide squad detective Inspector Tim Day said last night the manhunt would continue and he urged Mr Dick to hand himself in.
The danger has so far been directed towards people who are known to Mr Dick but police said that the public should still be wary and call triple-0 if he was seen.
“We believe both incidents are targeted attacks, however we ask people not to approach him,” Inspector Day said.
Mr Dick is caucasian, about 176cm tall with a solid build and mousy brown hair. He was last seen wearing a red, long-sleeved hooded top with white writing on the back, and blue jeans.
CCTV collected by police suggested he fled southbound on foot along Green Gully Rd, passing over Meehan Court.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Report sightings of Mr Dick immediately to triple-0.
WANTED FOR MURDER
The 40-year-old is wanted in relation to the murder of his brother David in Westfield Doncaster on February 3 last year.
Detectives have re-released images of Jonathan Dick in the hope someone can provide information regarding his whereabouts.
Dick is still believed to look like this.
He is described as being caucasian, aged in his 30s, about 176cm tall with a solid build and mousy brown hair.
He was last seen wearing a red long-sleeved hooded top with white writing on the back and blue jeans.
Detectives from the Fugitive Taskforce and a number of other units are currently in the Keilor area searching for Jonathan Dick.
Police are urging members of the public to keep a look out for him.
Homicide Squad detectives appeal for Dick to hand himself in and urge anyone who sights him not to approach him but to call triple-0 (000) immediately.