Evidence linked to Sydney kidnap victim Chris Baghsarian, 85, discovered in burnt-out car as search continues | Sydney

Forensic evidence linking Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian was found in a burned-out car; Police are searching the woodland for further clues 11 days after he was abducted due to a suspected identity.

Acting Det Supt Andrew Marks on Monday urged the public to share any footage they have of the gray Toyota Corolla found burnt out in Westmead last Tuesday.

Officers also found evidence inside the car linked to an abandoned and derelict property in Dural where Baghsarian, 85, was believed to have been held at some point after his abduction, Marks said.

Marks would not confirm what forensic evidence was found in the car that linked him to the Baghsarian and Dural properties.

““The vehicle was not completely burnt and we were able to establish some forensic connections from the items inside the car to the property in Dural and also to Mr Baghsarian,” he said.

“This case is not our normal investigation of a kidnapping and hostage taking. I suspect those involved were planning to burn that vehicle and everything in it.”

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Marks said the car was also seen in Glenorie on Saturday, February 14, the day after Baghsarian was kidnapped. Police expanded their search efforts in the area and combed the surrounding forest areas.

““We have a lot of police and other resources that we use to conduct the search,” he said.

Baghsarian has been missing since three men forced him into a dark-coloured SUV outside his Sydney home just before dawn on February 13, and police believe he is the victim of a case of mistaken identity.

Police said Friday that their hope of finding Bagsarian alive is dwindling, but they will not give up trying to find him.

Detectives had previously said they believed the widower was alive after videos emerged of him being held at an unknown location.

Asked about Baghsarian’s fate on Monday, Marks said it was “very difficult to speculate about where we are at this stage.””.

“We are making every effort to find Mr. Baghsarian,” Marks said.

“As I said last time, concerns are increasing day by day.”

Marks said the Corolla was reported stolen from Victoria on February 13 and had “cloned” number plates showing registration DVT 077.

He urged people around Good Street in Westmead who “have any footage or dashcam footage of the gray Corolla and other persons attached to a car in that area, or anything suspicious around that vehicle” to come forward.

Police said Baghsarian had no personal connection to any crime or underworld activity, making the case difficult for investigators. No ransom was demanded, prompting the police to appeal directly to the kidnappers to take the grandfather to safety.

Baghsarian’s family spoke publicly for the first time last week, describing the kidnapping as surreal and heartbreaking.

“Our family is living a nightmare we never thought possible,” they said in a brief statement released through police.