Police are appealing for an 85-year-old widower to be returned to his family after he was kidnapped in what they say was a case of mistaken identity.

Neighbours contacted police after hearing commotion from a home in North Ryde in Sydney about 5am yesterday.

“I just heard glass smashing, dogs barking,” neighbour Felix Cho told 9News.

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Chris Baghsarian, 85, lives in North Ryde alone. (NSW Police)

“The screaming just kept on going and then it was muffled so I ended up looking outside, and I saw the guy popping into his car and fleeing off.”

Officers arrived to find resident Chris Baghsarian missing and signs of forced entry.

Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks told reporters kidnappers have the wrong person.

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“They took Mr Baghsarian whilst he was at home, in his bedroom of his family home, and they took him and bundled him into a car and took him away to a location that we do not know,” he said.

“Police consider that Mr Baghsarian was not the intended target.”

Baghsarian is a grandfather and lives alone in his home after his wife died four years ago. Marks said his family has no links to criminal activity.

A dark Toyota SUV, believed to have been used in the kidnapping, was found burnt out near Baghsarian’s home in South Turramurra.

At least three people are believed to have been involved.

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The North Ryde home. (Nine)

Marks said Baghsarian’s family are shocked by the kidnapping.

“His family are quite concerned,” he said.

“They’re quite surprised that this has happened, and what they want is a safe return of their father.”

Marks said there are concerns for Baghsarian’s health as he needs daily medication.

“Being a hostage, we really fear for his safety and we’re appealing for a very safe return and to get medical attention,” he said.

“Being an 85-year-old man, we suspect that he may not be doing well.”

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Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks. (Nine)

Marks issued a message to the kidnappers, urging them to release Baghsarian.

“Take him to a hospital. Take him to somewhere that’s safe, and we’ll do the rest. We’ll get him the medical treatment that is required,” he said.

“I ask, potentially, if there’s a member of the kidnapper crew that has any common decency to tell us where he is.”

An image of Baghsarian has been released to the public, and anyone who has information or witnessed anything out of the ordinary is also urged to contact the police.