Sydney police revealed that a group of criminals broke into the home of an 85-year-old man and abducted him, later discovering clear evidence it was a case of mistaken identity. Police said a video showing the severely injured victim has been widely shared within criminal networks. They urged the kidnappers to urgently release him at a hospital or shopping mall. The family is deeply concerned as the victim requires daily medication.
The New South Wales Police issued a statement appealing to the kidnappers to release "Chris Baghsarian," the 85-year-old man abducted from his home in the North Ryde area, believing that the victim was taken by mistake due to the criminals' error.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, 13 February. CCTV footage showed a dark SUV arriving and parking outside Mr. Baghsarian's home, where he lives alone. At least two hooded men then entered the house and forcibly took the elderly man, who resisted, into the vehicle and fled. Later, officers found a vehicle matching the description burned in South Turramurra to destroy evidence.
Andrew Marks, Acting Detective Superintendent, stated, "The criminals intended to kidnap someone, but they took the wrong person. The grandfather's family is devastated. What they want is to have their father and grandfather returned to them."
Local media Sydney Morning Herald reported that photos and video clips of Mr. Baghsarian in a severely injured state are currently circulating within Sydney's underground influencer networks.
Detective Superintendent Marks admitted having seen the footage and was deeply disturbed, emphasizing that "every hour counts" as the grandfather needs his daily medication. He also noted that the kidnappers have not demanded ransom from the family, who are upstanding citizens with no criminal ties, confirming "one hundred percent" that this is a case of mistaken identity.
Reports indicate that cases of mistaken identity in assaults or abductions are becoming more frequent in Sydney because large criminal networks often subcontract such crimes to lower-level gangs, which frequently leads to errors in identifying victims. A similar case last year involved a 23-year-old plumber who was shot dead outside his home simply because the perpetrators misidentified him.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns appealed to the kidnappers' humanity, saying, "Please tell the police where he is, or help by leaving Mr. Baghsarian at a shopping mall, a hospital emergency department, or even a nursing home. We earnestly ask you to do this as soon as possible."
On the day of the abduction, Mr. Baghsarian was wearing grey pajamas and a red-and-blue plaid flannel shirt. Anyone who sees a person matching this description or notices anything unusual at an unoccupied home is urged to contact the police immediately.
/sourceBBC