
Officers are scouring dense bushland on the fringes of north-west Sydney for the abducted 85-year-old grandfather. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)
Police are scouring dense bushland in the search for abducted grandfather Chris Baghsarian, 10 days after he was mistakenly kidnapped.
Officers have been seen near a national park and bushland in Glenorie on the fringes of north-west Sydney, following a police operation late on Sunday evening at a property along Vesperman Road in the same suburb.
The 85-year-old was taken from his bedroom at his North Ryde home and bundled into an SUV about 5am on February 13.
From the outset police have said the abduction of Mr Baghsarian was a case of mistaken identity, with law enforcement sources telling the ABC the intended target was a figure with links to the Alameddine crime family.
Chris Baghsarian, 85, was abducted from his North Ryde home on Friday, February 13. (Supplied: NSW Police)
Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks would not be drawn on whether the investigation had now become a recovery operation.
“We are searching for Mr Baghsarian,” he said.
“At this stage, he’s been taken days ago, and every day … the concerns grow.
“Every day, it’s not a great feeling we have in relation to his health and his survival.”
Police repeatedly appealed directly to the kidnappers for his safe return, saying Mr Baghsarian required daily medication.
The rural suburb of Glenorie is about 12 kilometres from Dural, where police had set up a crime scene after discovering a makeshift “stronghold” on Thursday night.
Detectives believed Mr Baghsarian’s captors had used a vacated and derelict house in Dural as a base.
Images and video that circulated of Mr Baghsarian tied up and being assaulted by his captors showed the property as being consistent with where Mr Baghsarian was kept, police said.
During Sunday’s police operation at a property in Glenorie, PolAir and the dog squad patrolled the area.
On Sunday, police searched a property along Vesperman Road in Glenorie. (ABC News)
Earlier that day police had appealed for public information in relation to the kidnapping after suspicious vehicle fires in Westmead days prior.
Emergency services were called to Good Street at Westmead about 11:30pm on Tuesday, February 17, after reports that two cars were alight.
One of the vehicles was a 2022 model Toyota Corolla, bearing Victorian registration 1UZ2BU, reported stolen from a Victorian address on January 13 — police believing the car is linked to the crime scene in Dural.
Superintendent Marks said investigators believed the vehicle was displaying cloned numberplates bearing the registration DVT 077.
He said items had been collected from the vehicle for forensic examination.
“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.
The vehicle was also sighted in the Glenorie area on February 14 after 9pm.
Superintendent Marks said officers believed the intended abduction target was safe and “not in danger”.
News
Bec has opened up about one of the darkest periods she’s faced, revealing she was unable to even leave her bed for five days straight after a brutal exchange with Danny.
EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight’s Bec described being dumped at Final Vows by Danny as “one of the hardest moments of [her] life”. While bride Bec is head over heels in love, Danny makes a shocking decision during Final Vows that leaves Bec in tears…
The royal circle surrounding Catherine, Princess of Wales is facing fresh scrutiny after her brother-in-law was accused of “putting the public at risk” at a lavish £15m property
James Matthews, who is married to Pippa Middleton, has been accused of ‘putting the public at risk’ after he reportedly sealed off an entrance at his Berkshire estate James Matthews has been slammed for a decision at his £15m home(Image:…
Married At First Sight Australia INSIDER CLAIMS BROOK ISSUED SHOCK LEGAL THREAT
MAFS Australia insider claims Brook tried to issue legal threat to remove toxic scenes. Picture: Nine Married at First Sight Australia’s Brook reportedly threatened legal action to block scenes from airing as emails come to light. The fallout from that explosive second Dinner Party continues,…
D3:ADLY CROSSING IN THE FLOOD ZONE — A man found l!if3less after attempting to walk through raging floodwaters in South Australia’s remote far north
Tony Aspden has been missing since Easter Saturday, April 4. (Supplied: SAPOL) A land, air and water search has ended after a missing man was found dead in South Australia’s remote far north. Tony Aspden, 65, was located this morning after…
AIRPORT ARREST EXPOSES DARK TURN — Allen Keys charged over ex-wife Eva Lasrini’s d3:ath after dramatic Melbourne Airport capture
She never boarded her flight after her ex-husband arranged to drive her to the airport. The 67-year-old ex-husband of a missing woman has been charged with her murder after he was arrested while attempting to board an international flight. Eva…
Peter Phillips reportedly had to seek special approval to marry his NHS nurse fiancée in church — and the reason why is now sparking fresh attention
THE King’s nephew had to get special permission from his vicar for a church to hold his wedding with his NHS nurse fiancee — because the royal has been married before. Peter Phillips, 48, will wed Harriet Sperling, 45, at…
End of content
No more pages to load