Chris Baghsarian, an 85-year-old Australian, was taken from his home in North Ryde, Sydney, in the early hours of Friday morning. His family described the incident as an 'incredible nightmare,' expressing their disbelief that such an event could happen to a loving father and grandfather. The police reported that three men broke into his home around 5 AM, smashing windows before forcibly dragging him from his bed into a dark SUV and fleeing the scene, which was accompanied by harrowing sounds of glass shattering and cries for help from neighbors.

Following the abduction, the police discovered a burnt vehicle believed to have been used in the kidnapping in a nearby area. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon condemned the incident as 'shameful,' and highlighted that the initial indicators suggest this was a case of mistaken identity. During a press conference, he appealed to the abductors, demanding that Chris be returned immediately, emphasizing the need for community vigilance in times of such escalating crime.

The incident raises significant concerns about safety in residential areas in Sydney and points to a deeper issue of crime related to mistaken identities. The family remains distraught, unsettled by the violent nature of the crime and the apparent random selection of a victim, raising questions on police preventive measures and community safety protocols as they search for Chris Baghsarian and pursue the individuals responsible for this alarming event.