Police Arrest Two Men in Kidnapping of 85-Year-Old Grandfather

Two men have been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping and subsequent murder of 85-year-old grandfather Chris Baghsarian, who was forcibly taken from his home in a case of mistaken identity. The incident occurred just before 5:00 AM on February 13, 2024, in North Ryde, a suburb of Sydney. Authorities believe Baghsarian was not the intended target, as the kidnappers likely aimed for a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan, a convicted armed robber with suspected links to the Alameddine crime family.

Following extensive investigations, the New South Wales Police arrested a 29-year-old man and a 24-year-old man on Wednesday from separate locations in Kenthurst and Castle Hill. Police executed search warrants around 6:30 AM and took the suspects to Riverstone Police Station for questioning. So far, no charges have been filed against the men.

Police commenced an immediate and extensive search after CCTV footage revealed masked individuals forcibly bundling Baghsarian into an SUV. The police have stated with high confidence that Baghsarian and his family have no connections to organized crime, emphasizing that it was a clear case of mistaken identity.

In the aftermath of the kidnapping, images and videos of an injured Baghsarian circulated online, prompting significant concern from his family. They expressed their distress, stating, “We are struggling to make sense of the fact that he has been taken and that our family has been caught up in something that has nothing to do with us.”

The investigation led authorities to a burnt-out grey Toyota Corolla, which was believed to be stolen and had cloned Victorian plates (DVT 007). The vehicle was spotted in Glenorie on the night of February 14 and later in Pitt Town at 9:05 PM, before being set ablaze in Westmead on February 16. Forensic evidence collected from the car linked it to a derelict property in Dural, which police suspect was used as a makeshift stronghold by the kidnappers.

As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The tragic case has highlighted the dangers of mistaken identity and the impact of organized crime on innocent families.