Police renew appeal to find missing Granville man Zachary Ritz

Grave concerns are held for an avid fisherman who left all his possessions, including a Harley-Davidson, behind at his western Sydney home when he ‘disappeared off the face of the earth’.

Police are renewing an appeal for the public’s help as they continue to investigate the disappearance of Granville man Zachary Ritz.

The unemployed 45 year old was last seen at his unit on Inkerman St on October 27, 2021, where his rent had been in arrears since July that year.

A cousin of the landlord reported him missing to Cumberland police on Tuesday, December 21, and has not been seen or heard from since.

Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare because his disappearance is deemed out of character.

Cumberland Police Area commander, Superintendent Andrew Holland, said Mr Ritz left his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a four-wheel drive behind.

“This is of great concern to us that he’s just disappeared off the face of the earth,’’ he said.

Zachary Ritz sometimes uses a walking stick.

Zachary Ritz.

“Our concerns are that he has no history of mental illness and, again, none of his bank accounts, his personal belongings are at home and obviously the personal thing is the fact that he’s definitely not left the country.’’

“The part we’re worried about now is that he’s come under foul play.’’

Police said there was no dispute with neighbours in the block of units where Mr Ritz lived alone.

“There was no problems with neighbours or anything,’’ Supt Holland said.

“It was just a normal disappearance … there was no ruckus or anything prior. There’s no disturbance of the unit. There’s nothing disturbed in the unit.

“The family weren’t close to him but obviously have concerns that he hasn’t made contact with them for such an extended period.’’

An investigation into the former truckie’s disappearance is being conducted under Strike Force Alleppo, with several searches undertaken in the local area – with the help of strike force detectives and the Public Order and Riot Squad.

Mr Ritz is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, of solid build, with shoulder length black curly hair, and a dark scruffy beard.

He walks with a limp and often uses a walking stick.

He is known to frequent the Granville, Greenacre, Merrylands and Auburn areas.

He has also previously been known as Ehab Taha, Ehab El Jandih and John Sutherland but police said using multiple names was “not uncommon”.

Supt Andrew Holland said investigators were particularly eager to speak to anyone who saw or spoke to Mr Ritz in the days leading up to his disappearance.

“He is an avid fisherman and often travelled to regional parts of the state with mates to fish, so detectives are keen to speak to any of these people who often went on trips with Zachary,’’ he said.

“The fishing trip was not planned at this point and again, all we know from relatives and friends was that he was quite confident in going out recreational fishing locations; the Central Coast, anywhere where there was good fishing for him.

“He made sure that he was available for his friends to go on those locations ...’’

He was not known to police and had minor traffic offences to his name.

Strike force detectives will continue to conduct physical searches and other inquiries to determine where Zachary is and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Investigations under Strike Force Alleppo continue.

Anyone with information about his disappearance and whereabouts is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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