Police in Australia have made two arrests in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of an 85-year-old grandfather, a case authorities are describing as a tragic instance of mistaken identity. The New South Wales police force confirmed the arrests of a 29-year-old man and a 24-year-old man, who were taken into custody from separate locations for questioning.
Discovery of Human Remains
Investigators revealed that human remains have been discovered and are linked to the case of Chris Baghsarian, a widower and grandfather who was forcibly taken from his North Ryde residence in the early hours of 13 February. The incident, captured on CCTV, showed masked individuals bundling the elderly man into an SUV.
A Case of Mistaken Identity
Authorities have stated with certainty that this was a case of mistaken identity, asserting that Baghsarian and his family have no connections to organised crime groups. Police expressed they are "a million percent confident" the kidnappers were actually targeting a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, a convicted armed robber with alleged ties to the Alameddine crime family.
Following the abduction, distressing pictures and videos of an injured Baghsarian circulated online, heightening family fears. Footage reportedly seen in Sydney’s underworld showed the grandfather tied up and seriously injured.
Extensive Police Investigation
The police launched a large-scale investigation immediately after the kidnapping. Key findings included:
- A burnt-out grey Toyota Corolla with cloned Victorian plates (DVT 007) was located, believed to be stolen. The vehicle was seen in Glenorie on 14 February and later in Pitt Town before being set alight in Westmead on 16 February.
- Forensic evidence from the car connected it to a derelict property in Dural, which police suspect was used as a makeshift stronghold by the kidnappers.
On Wednesday, strike force detectives, with assistance from the Raptor Squad, executed search warrants in Kenthurst and Castle Hill around 6.30am. The two arrested men were taken to Riverstone Police Station for further inquiries. As of now, no formal charges have been brought against them.
Family's Anguish
The family of Chris Baghsarian released a statement expressing their profound distress, saying, "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." This sentiment underscores the random and devastating nature of the crime, which has left the community in shock.
The investigation continues as police work to piece together the full sequence of events and ensure justice is served in this harrowing case of mistaken identity.
