Police believe an elderly Sydney man is still alive after being abducted from his home in a mistaken identity, and officers are calling for his safe release.

Detectives believe 85-year-old Chris Bagsarian was snatched from his bedroom by an intruder who broke into his North Ryde property just after 5am on Friday.

New South Wales Police said the suspect was mistakenly taken by the group, but law enforcement sources told the ABC they believed he was targeting someone with links to the Alameddine crime family.

Police sources also told the ABC that a video of Mr Bagsarian was filmed by his kidnappers and distributed by his captors.

Footage seen by the ABC shows the man lying on his back with his hands tied and his face covered while one of the kidnappers repeatedly covers his mouth and nose with his hand.

That’s because surveillance camera footage showed the moment Mr Bagsarian was taken away by the group.

Footage obtained by the ABC shows a person in a dark-colored SUV getting out of a house and walking towards a neighbor’s house in the early morning hours.

The video, taken about five minutes later, shows the lights of the house next door turning on, two people exiting the front door, a car pulling into the front of the house, and then a car pulling into the house. Get in the car.

Commander Andrew Marks of the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad said he was aware of the footage being circulated.

“Look, in our research it’s not ideal,” he said.

Bagsarian’s neighbors heard the commotion and called the police.

Police identified the vehicle as a black Toyota SUV, which was later found burnt out near Bagsarian’s address.

The day after the kidnapping, police said Mr Bagsarian was not the intended target and described how three people (possibly more) put him in a car and drove off.

Police say elderly man is still alive

Superintendent Marks said investigators believe Mr Bagsarian is alive.

“So at this stage, in our view, he is still alive. And we are looking for his safe return,” he said.

”And all I can say is that I’m a million percent sure they picked the wrong person. ”

Superintendent Marks spoke directly to the kidnapper and begged for the man’s release.

“This is a very strange appeal, but we appeal to those responsible for releasing Mr. Baghsarian to a safe place,” he said.

Superintendent Marks would not confirm whether the family of the would-be kidnapper, rather than the 85-year-old’s loved ones, had received a ransom demand.

“What I can tell you is that the family did not receive any ransom.” [demand]” he said.

“This is a difficult case because in a normal kidnapping case, you would have noticed a ransom demand.” [demand].

“But the family is not involved in this type of crime, they are not involved in that world, so they have not received the ransom.” [demand]. ”

Superintendent Marks urged the public to report any unusual people or suspicious behavior they see around their suburban homes.

There are concerns about Mr Bagsarian’s health as he is old and requires daily medication.