A man once dubbed WA’s most wanted is back behind bars after he was arrested again over a New Year’s Day burglary in Woodvale and a string of other alleged offences.
Laurie Dodd was released from prison in August 2022 after nearly three years in prison over his latest crime spree. Police at the time described him as violent, dangerous and a threat to the community.
Laurie John Dodd was described as violent and dangerous.Credit: WA Police
Dodd, now 48, was only out of prison for a few months before he allegedly reoffended.
Charges against him were heard in Perth Magistrate’s Court on Thursday related to an alleged stealing incident in October.
The 20-year career criminal, who has escaped prison three times, was also arrested and charged with stealing and aggravated home burglary in Maylands in November, driving without a license in Perth in December and a burglary and robbery in Woodvale on January 1.
In 2019 Dodd made headlines after he dramatically escaped police custody at Royal Perth Hospital, where he was being treated for a bite he sustained after punching a police dog in the face during a pursuit.
He managed to get a security guard in a chokehold, by tricking him into adjusting his bed and then stealing the keys to his handcuffs.
Private security firm Broadspectrum, which was guarding Dodd, was fined $103,000 after it emerged the prisoner had been chained around his waist and legs to the bed but was not handcuffed.
Before his most recent arrest, Dodd’s latest prison stint came after he admitted to 41 charges including three counts of burglary, four counts of reckless driving, six counts of stealing a motor vehicle, 15 counts of stealing, one count of possessing a firearm and two counts of assaulting a police officer.
Violent prison escapee back behind bars
