Two men have been arrested over the kidnapping and murder of elderly widower Chris Baghsarian, who was abducted from his Sydney home in a suspected case of mistaken identity.

Robbery and serious crime squad detectives working under Strike Force Chobat arrested the men, aged 29 and 24, at properties in Kenthurst and Castle Hill on Wednesday morning.

Detectives recovered human remains believed to be those of Baghsarian near a golf course at Pitt Town on Sydney’s north-western fringe on Tuesday morning.

The men are yet to be charged. They have been taken to Riverstone police station and are being interviewed.

Detectives on Wednesday morning searched properties at Kenthurst, Castle Hill and Dural properties. A Toyota Corolla was seized and towed from the Kenthurst home just after 10am.

At Castle Hill, detectives seized several bags of evidence and searched two cars, a blue Honda Jazz and a white ute, parked in the home’s driveway. The Jazz was towed away from the property just after 11am.

The Kenthurst property where a 29-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday morning.© Sitthixay Ditthavong

A car is towed from the Kenthurst property.© Sitthixay Ditthavong

Detectives search a Castle Hill property on Wednesday morning.© Nine

“We welcome the news of the recent arrests in relation to the kidnapping of our father and grandfather,” Baghsarian’s family said in a statement issued through NSW Police on Wednesday morning.

Baghsarian’s relatives asked for privacy as they “continue attempting to come to terms with this incident”.

Police conduct a line search on Pitt Town Bottoms Road near where the remains were found on Tuesday.© Kate Geraghty

Baghsarian was taken hostage on February 13 when up to three men abducted him from his North Ryde home at about 5am in a suspected case of mistaken identity. Baghsarian, a grandfather and widower born in Jerusalem, lived alone, and police have repeatedly said he and his family have no links to organised crime.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators had worked non-stop to identify and locate Baghsarian’s kidnappers.

“They have worked 24/7 since it happened with the firm view of trying to get Mr Baghsarian safely back to his family,” Lanyon said.

“Tragically, we know the consequence. That is not the case.”

On Sunday afternoon, police launched a large-scale search of dense bushland at Glenorie after receiving reports a Toyota Corolla, since forensically linked to Baghsarian, had been seen in the area at about 9pm on February 14.

Investigators then identified the Pitt Town crime scene, a 15-minute drive away, as the possible location of Baghsarian’s body after the Corolla was spotted in the area. Police believe Baghsarian’s body was dumped near the golf course that night.

Detectives last week searched a Dural property Baghsarian’s kidnappers had used as a “makeshift stronghold” to detain and torture the 85-year-old in the hours after his kidnapping. Evidence found at that property matches video and images of a severely injured Baghsarian circulated throughout Sydney’s criminal underworld.

Evidence found with the remains and in the Corolla, which was set alight in a Westmead street on February 16, matched items found in the Dural home.

Detectives believe the kidnappers were looking for the father of 37-year-old Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, a convicted armed robber and founder of clothing brand Proper Streetwear, when they mistakenly grabbed Baghsarian.

Proper Streetwear has long been worn by alleged members of the Alameddine network. The phrase “never cross the family” – an alleged reference to the Alameddine family – appears on several Proper Streetwear clothing items and features on some members’ personal jewellery.

The Stepanyan family has lived on the same street as Baghsarian for several years.

This masthead has attempted to contact Stepanyan for comment. He is not accused of any involvement in Baghsarian’s kidnapping.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said organised crime in Sydney would be met with a “swift and overwhelming police response”.

He said Baghsarian’s kidnapping and murder had “shocked and outraged the community”

“I can only imagine what that family has gone through over the last few weeks. I want them to know that the people of NSW are with them during this difficult time. We respect their privacy, but we are there with them at their shoulder if they need anything.”