Accused brother-killer Jonathan Dick may have been hiding in plain sight in Melbourne's inner-north, according to Victoria's top cop.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said it was possible the murder accused hid in plain sight in Fitzroy's homeless community and survived off food from community gardens and supplies from homeless agencies including in the CBD.

"We are still piecing together his movements but for a little period of time it appears he was living in the Fitzroy area in a homeless capacity, and in that time period we also had him in the country and Mornington Peninsula areas, where he was getting food from community gardens," he told 3AW.

Fugitive Jonathan Dick is driven into Police Headquarters after his arrest in Melbourne. (AAP)

The 41-year-old sported a bruised face and had numerous stitches above and below his eyes when he briefly faced the Magistrates' Court this morning.

The murder suspect, wearing a black t-shirt with "NYC" on the front, appeared attentive and well-mannered, confirming his identity when asked if he was Jonathan Dick.

Dick was arrested in Melbourne after being detained by two members of the public, including an old friend of his. (9News)

Dion Raiola says his friend can sleep easy with Dick captured. (Today)

"That's correct, your Honour," he said.

Dick was this morning charged with trying to murder schoolmate David Cammarata with a hammer outside his Keilor home in August last year.

Police also allege Dick was stalking the father-of-three in a Flinders Street carpark yesterday morning with the intention of causing "physical and mental harm", the court heard.

Flanked by two guards, Dick told the magistrate he had seen a nurse overnight.

Dick's lawyer said it was his first time in custody and that he had no mental health issues and was not taking any medications.

Dick was left bloodied in the scuffle. (9News)

Dick is also accused of attacking his friend with a hammer in Keilor last year. (9News)

The Keilor attack was captured on video. (9News)

His mother Carol Cloke was not present at court.

Dick said "thank you" to the magistrate as he was ushered back to the cells, ahead of his next appearance on December 10.

Earlier today, one of the men who detained Dick said they "got the job done" to end the accused killer's time on the run.

Cammarata, a school classmate of Dick's, and his business partner Dion Raiola confronted Dick when they saw him in a carpark near Melbourne's Hosier Lane yesterday morning.

After a scuffle, the pair detained Dick in a citizen's arrest until police arrived.

"We got the job done - we saw him, we chased him, we got him," Mr Raiola told 9News.

"We incapacitated him. Everyone is happy he is caught, Davo can sleep easy now. We are all good."

Dick allegedly killed his brother with a sword at a Doncaster shopping centre. (9News)

Mr Cammarata had been living in fear since the alleged hammer ambush by Dick on August 23 last year.

9News has obtained footage of the alleged attack, which appears to show Dick lying in wait before lunging at Mr Cammarata with the weapon.

Dick briefly faced Melbourne's Magistrates Court last night charged with one count of murder for allegedly killing his brother David with a sword at Westfield Doncaster shopping centre in February 2017.

Last year a $100,000 reward was issued for information leading to Dick's arrest over his brother's murder and the attack on Mr Cammarata.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton commended Mr Cammarata and Mr Raiola yesterday and said they may be considered for the reward.

A timeline of Jonathan Dick's arrest. (Graphic: Tara Blancato)

"We strongly believe that he represented a significant risk to community safety while he was out and about," Mr Ashton said

"He didn't rely on his regular network of people that we knew about. (It) seems as though in recent times he's been sleeping rough and that's made the task even more challenging."

A red-handled, curved knife and what appeared to be blood were seen on the ground where he was arrested.

Dick's mother said she was grateful her son was found alive.

"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," she said in a statement.

A knife is seen inside a crime scene where fugitive Jonathan Dick was arrested. (AAP)

Ms Cloke thanked her friends, family and police who had supported her through the past two-and-a-half years since David's death.

"I have never felt alone during this because of their support," she said.