Police have seized CCTV footage and declared an abandoned house an active crime scene, as the search for a missing toddler enters its fourth day.
Anthony “AJ” Elfalek, who has nonverbal autism, went missing from a property in the NSW Hunter region several days ago, with his family fearing he may have been kidnapped.
A strike force has been spearheading the search for the boy at Putty, north-west of Sydney, seizing CCTV footage from a petrol station as well as a ute and other items from the abandoned house.
The Colo Heights service station is a site of concern after the family reported seeing a white Toyota Hilux driving down their private road around the same time as AJ disappeared.
The abandoned home, 1km south of the farm, is also being investigated, with police looking to determine whether somebody may have been squatting at the property.
The search has seen more than 100 volunteers on foot, bikes, horseback, and in cars scouring the area on Sunday, along with helicopters scanning the bushland from overhead.
“We’ve organised a personal helicopter… we have to ramp it up,” AJ’s father, Anthony Elfalek, told 9News.
NSW Police Superintendent Tracy Chapman said Strike Force Jayland was investigating the circumstances surrounding the boy’s disappearance and pursuing all possible avenues.
Police are focusing on 15 dams on the property, draining one with an excavator on Monday morning.
Image: 9News
Forensic police also attended the scene on Sunday night, where they dusted the Elfalek’s family home for fingerprints, took photos, and collected evidence.
Having moved into the area just three months ago, the family were emotional while speaking to 9News on Sunday and said it was unlike AJ to wander off.
“I just want to find my son, I need to find AJ,” his mother, Kelly Elfalek, said.
“I’ve searched the property, so many times I’ve searched and I still cannot find him.
“I’m his universe, he holds my hand all day and all night, we are together all the time – something’s not right.”
The family suspects AJ was abducted after spotting a suspicious older model Toyota Hilux nearby.
“I think he’s been taken. He’s been taken. If he was around here I would have found him by now,” Ms Elfalek said.
An amber alert is yet to be issued by police, however they are investigating all lines of inquiry as wet weather sets in across the area.
“Really every minute is important, our priority is just to find AJ as quickly as we can,” Superintendent Chapman said.
“Obviously, the terrain is very difficult. We’re in a rural setting, there are various levels of elevation.
“We have been searching some of the dams and waterways.”
The search will continue on Monday night, as police bring in additional resources for patrols on the property and neighbouring farms, while a police helicopter will be using thermal imaging cameras from above.
Emergency crews are searching the area with the assistance of the State Emergency Service (SES) and the Rural Fire Service.
Image: 9News
NSW Police have issued a statement insisting that assistance from the public was not needed at this stage, while also remaining people of the COVID-19 restrictions currently in place.
“There are sufficient emergency services on the scene and public assistance is not required at this time,” NSW Police said.
“This area is deemed regional NSW and travel restrictions under the Public Health Order apply.”
AJ is described as having short dark hair and being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance. He is believed to be wearing a grey jumper, pants, and runners.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Image: James Wilson / Twitter
