Police have extracted forensic evidence from a burnt-out car with cloned plates found in north-west Sydney in the search for kidnapped grandfather Chris Baghsarian.
The investigation into the 85-year-old’s mistaken abduction has intensified today as officers comb through dense bushland in Glenorie, located about 44 kilometres from the city centre, as hopes of finding him alive beginning to fade.
A 2022 model Toyota Corolla found burned out in Westmead with cloned plates has now been forensically linked to a property in Dural, where police believe suspects in the case may have stayed in the aftermath of the kidnapping.
The search for Chris Baghsarian is centred on Glenorie, north-west of Sydney CBD. (NSW Police)
The burnt-out car found on Good Street. (NSW Police)
Police yesterday said the the car, bearing Victorian registration 1UZ2BU, was torched and dumped just before midnight last Tuesday.
The car was using the cloned plate DVT007, police confirmed today.
“We’re able to say that that vehicle was placed in Good Street on Saturday the 14th of February,” Superintendent Andrew Marks said.
“It was not burnt out until 11.30pm on Monday the 16th of February.”
The same car had also been spotted near the kidnappers’ “stronghold” in Dural.
Marks urged anyone with information regarding the grey Corolla to come forward.
“Do you have any footage or any dashcam footage of the grey Corolla in that area and any other persons attached to a car or anything suspicious around that vehicle?” Marks added.
Marks said police hoped they would find Baghsarian alive.
“Everyday, as I said last time, concerns grow… It’s not a great feeling that we have in relation to his health and his survival,” he added.
Baghsarian has been missing since February 13. (9News)
NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Marks urged anyone with information to come forward. (9News)
Baghsarian has been missing since February 13 when he was snatched from his home in North Ryde, in what detectives say was a case of mistaken identity.
Marks said investigators believe the intended target is “safe and not in danger”.
A police helicopter was among units deployed in the search at Glenorie yesterday.
Officers returned this morning, and are expected to deploy the dog squad and helicopter in the coming hours as they attempt to track Baghsarian and his abductors.
Officers have been searching thick bushland at Glenorie, 44kms from the city centre, as hopes of finding him alive fade. (Nine / Supplied)
The search for Chris Baghsarian has turned to remote bushland in Glenorie, north-west of Sydney. (Nine)
Police raided the building, which they described as a “stronghold” for his abductors last Friday and seized evidence. It included disturbing images of Baghsarian and his alleged kidnappers.
His family have pleaded for the elderly grandfather, who depends on daily medication, to be released by his captors and police have set up Strike Force Chobat.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything relating to the kidnapping or witnessed any sort of suspicious activity in the Dural area to contact Crime Stoppers.
News
HE HAD HIS WHOLE FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM…: YOUNG CRICKETER MOHAMMAD KASHIF NAMED AS VICTIM IN SINKING CAR TRA-GEDY — FAMILY BREAKS DOWN IN GRIEF
The young man who died when a car crashed and submerged at a NSW weir has been remembered as a kind and lively lover of cricket. Western Sydney man Muhammad Kashif, 20, could not escape from the passenger seat of the car which…
SHE NEVER MADE IT TO WORK THAT DAY… Devastating tragedy claims the life of aged care nurse Carron Scott after an alleged stolen ute crash on her way to work — as her son breaks down in tears sharing heartbreaking memories
Beloved aged care nurse Carron Scott is being remembered as a “remarkable” and “amazing” woman who spent more than 20 years caring for others, after she was killed by a driver in an allegedly stolen ute while heading to work. The 60-year-old was…
FORMER ISIS-LINKED WOMAN REVEALS WHAT SHE MISSED MOST ABOUT AUSTRALIA AS SHE BOARDS FLIGHT HOME AFTER YEARS OVERSEAS
Two of three women linked to Islamic State are expected to face charges over the alleged enslavement of at least one woman from the persecuted minority Yazidi community in Syria once they touch down in Melbourne. The group has boarded a Qatar Airways flight via…
Indy Mom Gu-nned Down at Daughter’s Post-Prom Party Hours After Sending Her Off — 38-Year-Old Brittany Grundy Ki-lled in S0cking Overnight Sho0ting as Investigation Deepens
A night that was meant to be filled with joy, celebration, and memories has instead ended in tragedy and confusion after a 38-year-old Indiana mother was shot and killed at her daughter’s post-prom party. Brittany Marie Members, known online as…
A LUXURY HOTEL… A DARK SECRET…: A Downton Abbey star is leading a brand-new “twisty” period romance drama that’s already being tipped as the next must-watch obsession
Calling all period drama fans! There’s a new movie in the works starring two very exciting actors – and it’s set to be a must-watch when it hits screens. A Night at Claridge’s (working title) stars Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey) and Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This)…
Netflix’s The Night Agent has confirmed its end after a steep drop in viewership — and the decision is already sparking major questions about what really happened behind the scenes
Fans of The Night Agent better enjoy its forthcoming fourth season. The fourth installment of the Netflix hit, which went into production this week, will officially be its last, the streamer has confirmed. The thriller, which stars Gabriel Basso, premiered in 2023…
End of content
No more pages to load