Police offer $100k reward in hunt for fugitive Jonathan Dick
JONATHAN Dick allegedly murdered his brother with a sword at a Melbourne shopping centre. He then dropped off the grid. Police are at a loss as to how he’s managed to evade capture. Now they’re hoping a big reward and new video will lead to his arrest. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
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A MAN who allegedly murdered his brother with a sword has been “hiding in plain sight” with someone unwittingly helping him evade capture since the brutal attack last year, police believe.
Jonathan Dick is wanted by police for the murder of his brother, David, on February 3 last year.
Victoria Police will on Wednesday announce a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
Investigators believe the two brothers may have fallen out in a row over property.
BRUTAL ‘SWORD’ MURDER CAPTURED ON CCTV
POLICE HUNT JONATHAN DICK AFTER KEILOR ASSAULT
CCTV, PICTURES OF TATTOOS, KEILOR ATTACK RELEASED
Mr Dick is also wanted over a non-fatal hammer attack on a former friend in Keilor on August 23 this year.
Images of Mr Dick’s leg tattoos have also been released, with police hoping people may notice them if he wears shorts as the weather warms up.
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 has 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.
In an exclusive interview with the Herald Sun, one of the detectives leading the hunt for Mr Dick said the case was one of the most unusual in years, with techniques normally used to catch criminals coming up short.
Given Mr Dick has allegedly attacked two people he had disagreements with, police have spoken to a number of his associates to try to ensure the safety of others who fell out with him.
“The traditional methods of finding people — things like banks, phones, vehicles and family and friends — they don’t seem to be able to assist us with this guy,” Senior Sergeant Julian Horan said.
“He is very elusive. People we have spoken to say that prior to the incident in Doncaster there would often be occasions where he would drop off the grid.
“He would do strange things like go for a walk and not come back. For several days, if not weeks, he would disappear from work.
“This is not a usual person that follows usual norms of everyday society.
“He has shown an ability to live off the grid. To be elusive and not leave any signs of his existence.”
Police believe it is likely Mr Dick has been living in a hostel or boarding house.
Investigators think he may have been using his plastering skills to pick up cash-in-hand work.
They believe he may also have access to a bicycle as he was seen in the vicinity of the Keilor assault on a bike.
“It’s extraordinary really,” Sen-Sgt Horan said.
“He is someone who has in the past shown he can do significant planning.
“His family and friends say when he puts his mind to something he is a very deep thinker and planner.
“We are not sure what that means. We are not sure whether he has put aside money prior to these incidents so that he could sustain himself. He has been very successful in avoiding those key things we look for in terms of proving someone is alive or to track their whereabouts.”
Following David’s murder there were no sightings of Jonathan until that incident in August.
A 38-year-old man, a former friend of Jonathan, was assaulted with a hammer in a driveway in Church Street, Keilor, just before 7am on August 23.
“The latest incident in Keilor, the CCTV from that indicates he doesn’t seem to be affected by being on the run,” Sen-Sgt Horan said.
“He seems to have sustained his weight. He is wearing clean clothing which would indicate to us he has access to a steady food supply, potentially got access to washing facilities, he is likely to have access to shelter.
“It is likely that he is operating in the community but managing to remain anonymous within plain sight.”
Police hope the $100,000 reward will help them make a breakthrough.
“We wanted to announce this reward as an incentive to someone out there who may suspect that the person living in the boarding house ... or someone they know that may not have the same name as Jonathan but they suspect it could be Jonathan, this is an incentive to them to think twice and maybe contact the police,” Sen-Sgt Horan said.
THE MURDER THAT SHOCKED MELBOURNE
THE murder of David Dick in a Doncaster shopping centre in February last year shocked Melbourne.
With the help of CCTV, police quickly declared the chief suspect in the gruesome crime was the victim’s brother, Jonathan Dick.
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But in the months that followed, the probe stalled as there were no fresh sightings of Mr Dick. Several theories were actively considered and detectives even pondered if he was still alive, as there was no trace of him via either bank or mobile phone records.
They also considered if he had fled interstate.
As the case grew colder by the day, Mr Dick finally resurfaced in Keilor on August 23, when he allegedly attacked a former friend with a hammer.
Sen-Sgt Horan told the Herald Sun the victim of that assault had a previous association with Mr Dick.
“We have information indicating the person who committed this assault, whom we believe to be Jonathan Dick, attended that address on previous occasions in the early hours, as well,” he said.
“There appears to be a level of planning involved in that assault. There was a previous issue with this person. They were close friends at some point … however there was a falling-out and this appears to have been the motivation for him to attack in August.”
CCTV FOOTAGE OF JONATHAN DICK RELEASED
BROTHER ERRATIC BEFORE BRUTAL WESTFIELD SLAYING
Investigators believe Jonathan and his brother David also fell out before David’s murder. “There is information and evidence indicating that there were issues between the brothers,” Sen-Sgt Horan said.
“Whilst it was known there was an issue between the brothers I don’t think anyone could have predicted what happened.”
Police have also considered the possibility Dick might target others he has had disagreements with over the years.
“Certainly we would look into any issues Jonathan has had with people in the past,” Sen-Sgt Horan said.
“We would look at that and obviously ensure any associates who may have had a falling out are safe.
“There is nothing to suggest there would be any concern to the greater community from Jonathan at this stage.”
The homicide squad is confident Dick is not being harboured by someone aware of his alleged crimes.
Sen-Sgt Horan said: “We have got no evidence indicating that someone is harbouring him knowing what he is alleged to have done.
“It is quite likely someone is out there assisting him not fully aware of who he is. Unwittingly helping him with food, shelter, washing.
“Someone who potentially could assist him at a food van or a food kitchen. Someone who could be assisting him at a hostel or boarding house.”
Police hope the images of comic book tattoos will help the public identify him.
“Jonathan has a real interest in comic book characters,” Sen-Sgt Horan said.
“To the point where he has these tattoos on his legs.
“Coming into the later spring and summer period there is every chance he will be wearing shorts and these may be apparent to people. They are very distinctive.”
Detective Inspector Tim Day said he was hopeful the reward would motivate someone to come forward.
“It’s our belief that over the past year, Jonathan has essentially been hiding in plain sight,” Insp Day said.
“His movements over the past 18 months are a mystery and we require the public’s help.”
Police are appealing for Mr Dick to hand himself in, and urge anyone who sees him not to approach him but to call triple-0 immediately.
Anyone with any other information is urged to contact police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
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