Australian authorities have issued an urgent appeal for the safe return of an 85-year-old grandfather who was abducted from his Sydney home in what police have confirmed was a case of mistaken identity.
Chris Baghsarian was forcibly removed from his residence in the North Ryde suburb early Friday morning by three intruders. Police believe the kidnappers intended to target an individual connected to the Alameddine crime network, which operates in western Sydney.
Commander Andrew Marks of the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad addressed the media Monday with an unusual message directed at the abductors themselves. He stated with absolute certainty that they had taken the wrong man.
“I’m a million percent confident they have the wrong person,” Marks said. “It’s not an instance where they are randomly taking people for the sake of it. They were intending to take somebody, but have taken the wrong person.”
The commander described Baghsarian as a grandfather with no involvement whatsoever in criminal activity. In what he acknowledged was a highly unconventional appeal, Marks urged the kidnappers to release their elderly captive immediately.
Baghsarian was wearing grey pajamas and a red and green flannel shirt when he was taken. Police have emphasized that he requires daily medical attention, and his family remains in considerable distress over his disappearance.
Reports indicate that photographs and videos showing Baghsarian with severe injuries have circulated within Sydney’s criminal underworld, raising serious concerns about his current condition and wellbeing.
“The fact that these offenders or these kidnappers have got it so wrong is concerning,” Marks stated. However, he was careful to reassure the public that families with elderly relatives should not live in fear. This appears to be an isolated incident stemming from criminal targeting rather than a broader threat to the community.
The case highlights the dangerous consequences when organized crime operations go awry. While authorities work to secure Baghsarian’s safe return, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the collateral damage that can occur when criminal enterprises operate within residential communities.
This abduction in Australia comes at a time when law enforcement agencies are grappling with similar cases internationally. The investigation continues as authorities pursue all available leads to locate Baghsarian and bring those responsible to justice.
Police have not disclosed specific details about the Alameddine crime network or the intended target of the kidnapping, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. They have, however, made clear that solving this case and returning an innocent man to his family remains their highest priority.
The swift public appeal by law enforcement suggests authorities are treating this matter with the urgency it deserves, recognizing that time is of the essence given Baghsarian’s age and medical needs.
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