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85-Year-Old Abducted in Sydney Gang Mistake

Published 14 February 2026

An 85-year-old man was abducted from his home in Sydney's North Ryde suburb in the early hours of Friday morning, in what police described as a case of mistaken identity amid ongoing gang-related tensions.

Chris Baghsarian was taken from his bedroom around 5 a.m. when three intruders forced their way into the residence, shattering glass and ignoring his cries for help. Neighbors, alerted by the commotion including barking dogs and muffled screams, contacted authorities. One resident, Felix Cho, recounted the scene: "I just heard glass smashing and dogs barking. The screaming just kept going and then it was muffled. He was just dragged into the car and flew off."

Officers arrived shortly after to find signs of forced entry and Baghsarian missing. A dark Toyota SUV, believed to be the getaway vehicle, was later discovered burned out in nearby South Turramurra. Detectives from the New South Wales Police's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad have taken over the investigation, confirming at least three individuals were involved.

Police stated that Baghsarian was not the intended target, suggesting the kidnapping stemmed from confusion in Sydney's underworld rivalries. "They took Mr....

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