Updated ,first published
Police say a trio of kidnappers took the wrong person and are appealing for the return of an elderly man who was abducted from his bedroom in northern Sydney.
Officers have called on the kidnappers to relinquish Chris Baghsarian, who they fear may be hurt and who needs daily medication. They said the widower and grandfather was not the intended target, and lives alone at his North Ryde home.
“You have the wrong person,” said Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks, in a direct appeal to the abductors. “If there’s a member of the kidnap crew who has any common decency, tell us where he is and we’ll do the rest.”
Baghsarian’s neighbours called police at 5am on Friday, after hearing a commotion. One witness, Felix Cho, told Channel 9 he heard glass smashing, “the screaming that just kept going” and dogs barking before a car took off down the street.
Detectives are investigating whether the intended target was someone linked to the Alameddine crime network.
Police found signs of forced entry to the home.
“They took Mr Baghsarian when they were at home in the bedroom, they bundled him into a car and took him to a location that we do not know,” Marks said.
Police believe there were up to three kidnappers, who drove a dark-coloured Toyota SUV. A burnt-out vehicle matching that description was found in nearby South Turramurra.
Baghsarian, who Marks said required daily medication and medical treatment, had been wearing a blue and maroon flannelette shirt and grey tracksuit pants.
Officers were worried he had been hurt. “We always fear for the safety of the hostage and we believe he may have been harmed, but we’re not sure,” Marks said.
Baghsarian’s family, which Marks said was not involved in any criminal activity, was worried. “They’re quite surprised that this has happened and what they want is the safe return of their father,” he said.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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