Kidnapped Grandfather, 85, Feared Dead as Police Scour North-West Sydney Bushland for Clues
- Chris Baghsarian, 85, was abducted from his North Ryde home 10 days ago in a case of mistaken identity
- Police are searching dense bushland in Glenorie and Dural, with grave concerns for the grandfather’s welfare
- A burnt-out car linked to the kidnapping has been found, with forensic testing underway to uncover crucial evidence
As the search for kidnapped grandfather Chris Baghsarian enters its 10th day, police are growing increasingly desperate to find the 85-year-old before it’s too late. The elderly man was abducted from his North Ryde home in a case of mistaken identity, with law enforcement sources revealing the intended target was a figure linked to the notorious Alameddine crime family.
Officers are scouring dense bushland in Glenorie and Dural, with a massive operation underway to locate Mr Baghsarian. The search area has been expanded to include a national park and surrounding bushland, with police seen near a property along Vesperman Road in Glenorie.
The grandfather was taken from his bedroom at around 5am on February 13 and bundled into an SUV. Since then, police have been working tirelessly to track down his captors and bring him home safely. However, with each passing day, concerns for his welfare are growing.
“We are searching for Mr Baghsarian,” Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks said. “At this stage, he’s been taken days ago, and every day … the concerns grow.”
Police have repeatedly appealed directly to the kidnappers to release Mr Baghsarian, who requires daily medication. Images and video circulating online show the grandfather tied up and being assaulted by his captors, with police believing he was held at a derelict house in Dural.
A burnt-out car linked to the kidnapping has been found, with forensic testing underway to uncover crucial evidence. The vehicle, a 2022 Toyota Corolla, was reported stolen from a Victorian address on January 13 and was spotted in the Glenorie area on February 14.
Superintendent Marks said investigators believe the vehicle was displaying cloned number plates bearing the registration DVT 077. “That vehicle was not burnt out totally, and we were able to establish some forensic links from items inside that car that we can link back to the property in Dural and also to Mr Baghsarian,” he said.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The kidnapping of Chris Baghsarian has raised serious concerns about law enforcement’s ability to protect Australian citizens from organized crime. The fact that the intended target was a figure linked to the Alameddine crime family highlights the ongoing threat posed by organized crime groups in Australia.
Security analysts say the incident also underscores the need for greater cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime. “This case highlights the complexity of organized crime and the need for a coordinated response from law enforcement agencies,” said one expert.
The impact of the kidnapping on the local community cannot be overstated. The search operation has disrupted daily life in Glenorie and Dural, with residents on high alert for any signs of the missing grandfather. As the search continues, the community remains on edge, hoping for a safe resolution to the ordeal.
Industry observers believe the case also raises questions about the effectiveness of current strategies to combat organized crime. “This incident highlights the need for a review of our current approaches to combating organized crime,” said one expert.
As the search for Chris Baghsarian continues, one thing is clear: the need for a coordinated and effective response to organized crime is more pressing than ever.