bold statement: A grandfather has been abducted and authorities are combing rugged Glenorie bushland in a tense, ongoing search, ten days after the shocking mistake led to his disappearance. But here’s where it gets controversial... the investigation began with claims of mistaken identity, tying the kidnap to a target connected to an established criminal network, and the case has raised questions about how such misidentifications occur and how they’re handled in the public eye.
Police are actively scouring dense bushland around Glenorie, near the north-west edge of Sydney, as part of the hunt for 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian. This follows a late Sunday operation at a Vesperman Road property in the same suburb, after initial efforts launched in the early hours of February 13 when Baghsarian was taken from his North Ryde home.
From the start, police stated the abduction appeared to be a case of mistaken identity. Law enforcement sources told ABC that the intended target was someone with ties to the Alameddine crime family, a detail that has fueled speculation about motive and the reliability of early leads. Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks noted that the inquiry had not shifted to a recovery operation, emphasizing that authorities are still trying to locate Mr. Baghsarian and that each passing day heightens concerns for his health and safety. He explicitly said, “We are searching for Mr Baghsarian,” and that the situation remains urgent and unresolved.
The family of Baghsarian, who uses daily medication, has been at the center of repeated pleas from police for his safe return.
Glenorie sits about 12 kilometres from Dural, where investigators had established a crime scene after uncovering a vacant, fortified dwelling believed to be a base used by his captors. Police described images and footage showing Baghsarian tied and mistreated, consistent with where authorities suspected he was being held.
Sunday’s operation involved PolAir (air support) and the dog squad, with ongoing calls for information from the public to assist in the case—particularly in light of earlier suspicious vehicle fires in Westmead that month. Emergency crews were called to Westmead on Tuesday night, February 17, after two vehicles were found burning, including a 2022 Toyota Corolla with Victorian plates (1UZ2BU) that police say was stolen and may be linked to the Dural crime scene.
Controversial question to ponder: how often do misidentifications play a role in high-profile abductions, and what safeguards should police use to prevent innocent people from becoming collateral victims of aggressive investigations? Share your thoughts below: do you think the sequence of leads and public disclosures in cases like this should be more tightly controlled, or is openness essential for justice and public trust?
