New South Wales Police have reached out to the community for assistance regarding a series of suspicious vehicle fires in north-west Sydney last week, believed to be linked to the abduction of a grandfather, Chris Baghsarian.

Chris Baghsarian, aged 85, was taken from his bedroom in North Ryde by three men at approximately 5 a.m. on February 13. Authorities suspect that he was abducted by mistake, affirming that Baghsarian has no known connections to organized crime.

Officers are currently scouring the dense bushland area in Glenorie for any clues connected to the disappearance. They are also asking for details about two cars that were set on fire in Westmead, a suburb in western Sydney, during the last week.

Glenorie is a semi-rural community located on the outskirts of north-west Sydney, known for its proximity to a national park and secluded properties.

The perplexing situation has left police without leads, as no demand for ransom has surfaced. Consequently, they have taken to the media, appealing directly to the kidnappers to safely return the elderly man.

“This case is unlike our usual investigations involving kidnappings or hostages,” commented Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks on Monday.

“He … has been taken over 10 days ago and every day … the concerns grow.”

Car fires in Sydney’s west

In a statement on Sunday, police said emergency services responded to reports of two vehicles alight on Good Street, Westmead, around 11.30pm on 16 February.

Detectives believe that one was a 2022 Toyota Corolla reported stolen from a Victorian address last month.

The car bore the Victorian registration “1UZ2BU”, but was using a clone Victorian plate “DVT007”, detective acting superintendent Andrew Marks said on Monday.

Marks said the car was parked in Good Street from 14 February until the night of 16 February when it was set alight.

He appealed to the public for information about the vehicle.

“What we are asking from members of the public in that area — Good St specifically — do you have any footage, dash cam footage of the grey Corolla in that area, and any other persons attached to the car or anything around the vehicle?”

How is the stolen car related to the case?

Marks said forensic evidence from the Corolla showed it was linked to a property in Dural, a suburb about 12km south of Glenorie.

Police searched the vacant property on Thursday and Friday and established a crime scene there.

Police believe the property was used as a “makeshift stronghold” by Baghsarian’s kidnappers.

Marks said the vehicle was also seen in Glenorie, which led to the police search in dense bushland there.

What’s known about Baghsarian’s condition?

Marks said on Monday it was hard to speculate on the grandfather’s condition.

“We are putting every effort to find Mr Baghsarian and doing everything we can,” he said.

Police had earlier said he relies on daily medication, and urged the kidnappers to take him to hospital for medical checks.

Baghsarian’s family also spoke out last week, calling the widower “the kindest person we know — someone who would never hurt a fly”.

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

NSW Premier Chris Minns also joined NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon last week to plead for Baghsarian’s return.

— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.

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