New leads into the shock kidnapping of a elderly Sydney man have emerged as the case enters its ninth day.

Emergency services were called to two suspicious car fires on Good St in Westmead on Tuesday, with police now believing the cars are linked to the to the kidnapping of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian.

Baghsarian was taken from his North Ryde home on February 13, in what police are “confidently” calling a case of mistaken identity.

 

Despite police appealing for his release, Baghsarian has not been seen since he was bundled into an SUV over a week ago.

The vehicles were partially destroyed, however, detectives were able to make out a 2022 Toyota Corolla bearing Victorian registration ‘1UZ2BU’, reported stolen from a Victorian address the same day as Baghsarian’s kidnapping.

“Investigators believe the Toyota Corolla in the images released is linked to the crime scene at an address in Dural, which is determined to be linked to the kidnapping,” police said.

Chris Baghsarian, 85, was kidnapped from his home nine days ago.Chris Baghsarian, 85, was kidnapped from his home nine days ago. Credit: 7NEWS Two cars were found on fire on Good St in Westmead on Tuesday.Two cars were found on fire on Good St in Westmead on Tuesday. Credit: NSW POLICE

A property on Wildthorn Ave in the semi-rural suburb of Dural was raided by police about 7pm on Thursday, believing to be the location where Baghsarian had been kept for some time.

Disturbing images and videos circulating online showing Baghsarian bloodied, tied up and with a shirt wrapped around his head, and image of a severed finger helped police identify the house.

“As the intensive investigation continues to locate Mr Baghsarian and to identify and arrest those responsible for his kidnapping, police are appealing for further public assistance,” they said.

CCTV footage shows a dark Toyota pulling into Northcott Street in North Ryde before Baghsarian was taken.CCTV footage shows a dark Toyota pulling into Northcott Street in North Ryde before Baghsarian was taken. Credit: 7NEWS

Authorities had earlier said they fear Baghsarian’s life may be at risk without his daily medication, with Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks previously admiting that “hope was fading”.

“We have grave concerns for his safety, but we won’t give up trying to find him alive,” he said.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Baghsarian’s family said the devestating crime should have had “nothing to do with us”.

“Our family is living through a nightmare we never thought possible,” they said.

Detectives swarmed a property on Wildthorn Ave in the semi-rural suburb of Dural.Detectives swarmed a property on Wildthorn Ave in the semi-rural suburb of Dural. Credit: 7NEWS

“Chris’s kidnapping feels surreal, and we are struggling to make sense of the fact that he has been taken and that our family has been caught up in something that has nothing to do with us.

“Chris is a devoted father, brother, uncle, and grandfather. He is deeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we know — someone who would never hurt a fly.”

Marks said he was “a million per cent confident” the kidnappers had targeted the wrong man and confirmed Baghsarian and his family had no links to criminal or underworld activity.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen the Toyota Corolla or heard anything relating to the kidnapping — or any suspicious activity in the Dural area since last Friday — to come forward.

Anyone with dashcam footage is also urged to contact detectives.

Source: https://7news.com.au/news/investigators-link-two-suspicious-car-fires-to-kidnapping-of-chris-baghsarian-in-sydney-c-21715697