• Gang mistakenly kidnaps elderly man in Sydney
• Police urge public help to locate him

Sydney police are appealing for help in finding an 85-year-old man believed to have been kidnapped by mistake.

Chris Baghsarian, who lives alone, was taken from his home in the North Ryde suburb early Friday morning by at least three assailants and placed in a dark-colored SUV.

Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks told reporters, “They intended to take someone else, but they got the wrong person,” adding that no ransom demand has been received. “The family is extremely worried. All they want is their father, their grandfather, back.”

Police are urging anyone who notices suspicious activity around known empty homes to come forward.

The call for help comes after local reports that videos and images of Baghsarian, severely injured in an unknown location, have been circulating within Sydney’s criminal underworld.

Marks said, “It’s not good that these images are out there,” stressing that the elderly man requires daily medication and that “every hour is extremely important.” He added, “I have seen the videos, and it’s distressing to see an 85-year-old man in this condition.”

In typical kidnappings, a ransom demand is usually issued, but Marks noted that because Baghsarian’s family has no connection to this type of crime, they have received none.

The newspaper noted that mistaken identity cases have become increasingly common in Sydney’s underworld, as major crime gangs subcontract activities to smaller groups.

Last year, a 23-year-old plumber was shot dead in his driveway in Condell Park in what police believe was another mistaken identity case.

Marks said, “I am one hundred percent confident they took the wrong person,” without revealing who the intended target was. “The fact that these offenders – these kidnappers – got it so wrong is worrying.”

CCTV footage released by local media shows an SUV arriving at Baghsarian’s home on Friday. Two hooded figures approach the house and later emerge carrying a struggling man before placing him into the vehicle.

A burnt-out car matching the getaway vehicle’s description was later found in the nearby South Turramurra suburb.

Police said Baghsarian was wearing grey pajamas and a red-and-blue flannelette shirt at the time of the kidnapping.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also pleaded for Baghsarian’s safe return. “Inform the police of his current location, or leave Mr. Baghsarian at a shopping center, an emergency department, or even a care facility. We urge them to do this as soon as possible,” he said.