There is growing concern that 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian may not be found alive more than a week after he was taken from his home in northwest Sydney.
Mr. Baghsarian was reportedly abducted from his North Ryde residence in the early hours of February 13 by three assailants who forcibly took him away in a SUV.
Investigators have now turned their attention to Glenorie, a semi-rural area located on the outskirts of far northwest Sydney, close to a national park and isolated properties.
A vehicle believed to be connected to the incident was spotted in the vicinity on the night of Valentine’s Day, more than 40 hours after the elderly man went missing.
The lead detective revealed that CCTV footage and tips from the public led them to Glenorie but refrained from divulging further specifics.
Authorities have appealed for information regarding two suspicious vehicle fires that occurred late on February 16 in Westmead, about 15km from the scene of the kidnapping.
Investigators have uncovered “forensic links” in one of the burnt-out vehicles that have been traced back to Mr. Baghsarian and another relevant property in Dural.
“This investigation into the kidnapping and hostage situation has been unlike any other,” Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Marks stated during a press briefing on Monday.
Police suspect that the burnt-out vehicle was a 2022 Toyota Corolla with Victorian registration “1UZ2BU” that was reported stolen from an address in Victoria in January.
The stolen car was also outfitted with counterfeit Victorian number plates reading “DVT077,” according to Det Insp Marks.
The perpetrators failed to completely destroy the vehicle in their attempt to eradicate evidence.
Remnants from the car were linked to an abandoned property in Dural, not far from Glenorie.
Authorities searched the vacant residence on Thursday and Friday after identifying it as a potential hideout for the kidnappers.
The perplexing nature of the case has left law enforcement puzzled, especially in the absence of any ransom demands. They have resorted to making direct appeals through the media to the kidnappers to ensure the safe return of the grandfather.
“It has been over 10 days since he (Mr. Baghsarian) was taken, and with each passing day, our concerns mount,” Det Insp Marks expressed.
“Every day, we are filled with apprehension regarding his well-being and survival.”
He once again implored individuals involved in criminal activities to provide information anonymously to assist in resolving the kidnapping.
When asked about the elderly man’s current state, the acting commander of the robbery squad refrained from speculating.
The Baghsarian family made their first public statement earlier in February, describing the abduction as a harrowing ordeal.
“Our family is enduring a nightmare that we never imagined possible,” they conveyed in a brief message.
