Michael Luke Dwyer: Accused thief intends to plead not guilty to stealing $68,000 worth of octopus

The Perth man accused of trying to steal $68,000 worth of octopus from a Geraldton business has indicated he intends to plead not guilty to the charges, according to his lawyer. Michael Luke Dwyer did not appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court last Thursday on three charges relating to the attempted theft of 2.2 tonnes of frozen octopus from wholesaler Abrolhos Octopus. Police allege in the early hours of Friday, October 18, Mr Dwyer hired a refrigerated truck in Perth before driving it to Geraldton and backing into the building on Marine Terrace. According to police, the man broke the lock on the gate with an angle grinder before using a forklift to lift three pallets of octopus onto the truck. CCTV footage of the incident was obtained by police. The 45-year-old was arrested and charged with burglary, stealing and criminal damage after police say the truck was found parked in the driveway at his Bedford home. In court, defence counsel Hubert Gawley, who phoned in from Perth, said he’d spoken to Mr Dwyer on four occasions and that he was at his address and had been reporting to Mirrabooka police station as part of his bail conditions. Mr Gawley said his client intended to plead not guilty but sought an adjournment on the matter. Sen. Const. Thomas Potts flagged the prosecution’s interest in moving the charge to the district court as the value of the items stolen made it an indictable charge. Magistrate Kelly Thompson adjourned the matter until Monday, December 9, for legal advice, with bail extended on its current terms. Mr Dwyer will have to present himself to Perth Magistrates Court on the day as part of his bail condition. Police alleged the theft had been planned for more than a month, with two co-accused previously appearing in court. Alan Edward McDonald, 52, was a non-appearance in court earlier this month and a warrant for his arrest was issued. William John Scorse, 41, appeared in person and was not required to enter into a plea. Mr Scorse was is due to appear in court on Thursday, December 12. Both men were charged with conspiring to commit an offence, with police alleging they were previously employed at Abrolhos Octopus and helped facilitate the theft by preparing the forklift and the product for the accused.