Police say 85-year-old missing in Sydney kidnapping is ‘wrong man’

Two men got out of the Toyota SUV before a man - the wrong man according to police - was kidnapped.

Police have urged a group who kidnapped an elderly man in a suspected case of mistaken identity to safely return him to his family.

Police and loved ones hold grave fears for Chris Baghsarian, 85, who was taken from his North Ryde home just before 5am on Friday.

Police said there were signs of forced entry and they believed the kidnappers took the wrong person, given that Baghsarian and his family had no criminal connections.

Footage played by Nine on Sunday showed two men, one in high-vis, get out of a dark 4WD and approach the man’s home.

Grainy CCTV footage shows the men pushing the 85-year-old towards the car before driving away.

Chris Baghsarian was kidnapped from outside his North Ryde home. Photo / NSW Police

A dark Toyota SUV, believed to have been used in the kidnapping, was later found burnt out nearby in North Turramurra.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, New South Wales police Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks said he believed Baghsarian was “still alive” and urged the kidnappers for his safe return.

He said the kidnappers had the wrong person.

“I don’t know why they have not released him, other than to say that we’ve put the appeal out to say they have the wrong man,” he said.

No ransom has been delivered by the hostage’s family, he confirmed.

Marks said police had no idea where Baghsarian was.

“They took Mr Baghsarian while he was at home, in his bedroom of his family home, and they took him and bundled him into a car and took him away to a location that we do not know,” he said.

“Police consider that Mr Baghsarian was not the intended target.”

Baghsarian’s family was not involved in any criminal activity, Marks said, and was distressed by the kidnapping.

“We know that these common offences usually involve those that are involved in organised crime networks,” he said.

“Their family are in distress. All they want is their father to be returned, their grandfather to be returned.”

Marks said this incident was not common, and he was “a million % confident” the 85-year-old was the wrong target.

“His family are quite concerned,” he said.

“They’re quite surprised that this has happened, and what they want is a safe return of their father.”

Baghsarian also requires daily medication and police hold fears for his health.

“Being a hostage, we really fear for his safety and we’re appealing for a very safe return and to get medical attention,” Marks said.

“Being an 85-year-old man, we suspect that he may not be doing well.”

Marks urged the kidnappers to release Baghsarian.

“Take him to a hospital. Take him to somewhere that’s safe, and we’ll do the rest. We’ll get him the medical treatment that is required,” he said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday said Baghsarian’s family were “distraught”, urging the kidnappers to do the right thing and reunite him with his family.

“It’s not too late to end the situation. We want to say to the people responsible, please – this is a man who’s over 80 years old – please return him to his family,” Minns said.

“Let police know where he’s currently located or alternatively drop Mr Baghsarian off at a shopping centre or an emergency department or even a nursing home. We urge them to do that as soon as possible.

“This is a distressing situation. We want to reunite Mr Baghsarian with his family and we’re asking whoever’s responsible to do it as an act of humanity today.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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