Ute seized during search for three-year-old boy Anthony ‘AJ’ Elfalak missing on Putty property
A vehicle has been seized following an overnight search for a three-year-old autistic boy who went missing from a family’s remote Hunter Valley property.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A white dual cab ute fitting the description of the “suspicious vehicle” seen near a rural property shortly before three year old Anthony AJ Elfalak disappeared has been seized by police.
A tow-truck was pictured taking the white four-wheel-drive at the end of a third straight day of searching for the boy, who has non-verbal autism and disappeared from his parents’ property on Yengo Drive, Putty, shortly before midday Friday.
The family have maintained on social media that a “suspicious vehicle” was spotted on the dirt road out the front of the Yengo Drive home shortly before the boy went missing.
They’ve described the vehicle as a white dual cab Toyota HiLux, thought to be a late 80’s model. Police have not ruled out foul play in the boy’s disappearance.
The Elfalak’s, according to a friend, have lived on the 650 acre property, which includes swathes of untouched bushland, for three months.
The development came after emergency services early on Sunday morning returned to waterways around the isolated property with police divers clearing multiple dams surrounding the home, which sits among dense bushland on a dirt road about 20 kilometres off the Putty Road, south of Singleton.
More than 100 SES and Volunteer Rescue Association members started up a thorough grid style search of the surrounding properties and bush again early on Sunday.
Other emergency services, including police and Rural Fire Service, took to dirt bikes, ATVs and horseback as the search area continues to widen, while police search helicopters returned to the farm above the area at 11am.
A large contingent of friends and family have gathered at the Elfalak’s home with various search parties leaving in their own ATV’s, to search the labyrinth of bush trails snaking through the mountainous countryside.
Consistent overnight rain hampered search efforts on Saturday night.
Police on Saturday didn’t rule out foul play in the boy’s disappearance, with anyone who may have sighted the boy — who was wearing grey pants and top, and black and red shoes — encouraged to call police or Crimestoppers.
“It’s tough country — a three year old could easily go missing, there’s wombat holes, caves, dams. it’s easy to think they could go missing,” one neighbour said.
AJ’s mum Kelly Elfalak was distraught.
“I just wanna find my son, I need to find AJ,” Ms Elfalak said on Saturday.
“I have searched the property, I don’t how many times I have searched.
“We’re still driving around and I cannot find him. I think he’s been taken, if he was around here I would have found him by now. Something is not right.
“AJ is a nice boy he’s always smiling … he’s placid.”
The family’s home was swarmed by dozens of supporters, some of whom are from Sydney, wanting to assist in the search effort.
The toddler was reportedly only alone for a few minutes before he went missing.
NSW Police issue an amber alert when they fear a child has been abducted.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said police issued a geotargeting message to mobile phones and landlines in the geographical area of concern, urging people to keep an eye out for the missing boy.
The home itself lies in deep bushland along a dirt road surrounded by swamps and creeks.
AJ is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with short dark hair and believed to be wearing a grey jumper and pants, and sneakers.
Got a news tip? Email weekendtele@news.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Ute seized during search for three-year-old boy Anthony ‘AJ’ Elfalak missing on Putty property
Soaring ticket sales for Everest Day see extra police drafted as King set to make a cameo
More than 40,000 race goers are expected to attend the races in what will be the biggest crowd in modern history at the Sydney racetrack as excitement builds the king will make an appearance trackside.
Kidman farewells mother at private memorial
Actress Nicole Kidman has farewelled her late mother at a private memorial held in Sydney on Tuesday.