Two Arrested in Sydney Kidnapping and Murder of Elderly Man in Mistaken Identity Case
Police in New South Wales have confirmed the arrests of two men in connection with the kidnapping and murder of an 85-year-old Sydney grandfather, in what authorities describe as a horrific case of mistaken identity. The victim, Chris Baghsarian, was taken from his North Ryde home on February 13, with human remains later discovered near a golf club in northwest Sydney identified as his.
Details of the Arrests and Investigation
A 24-year-old man and a 29-year-old man were arrested in separate early-morning raids conducted by robbery and crime squad detectives on Wednesday. The New South Wales Police Force announced the arrests in a news release, sharing footage of the operations on their official Facebook page. Robbery and serious crime squad commander Andrew Marks stated that he expected both individuals to be charged with kidnapping and murder in relation to Mr. Baghsarian's death.
Commander Marks characterized the incident as a "horrible, horrible matter" and emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that an innocent man being taken from his home is unacceptable. He expressed confidence that the kidnappers had targeted the wrong person, describing it as "somebody's worst nightmare." Police have indicated that Mr. Baghsarian and his family have no known links to organized crime, further supporting the theory of mistaken identity.
Background of the Kidnapping and Alleged Motives
According to reports, Mr. Baghsarian was abducted from his residence, where he was reportedly tortured and held hostage. The Sydney Morning Herald revealed that detectives suspect the kidnappers were actually targeting a relative of businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, a convicted armed robber associated with the Alameddine crime family through his clothing brand, Proper Streetwear. This connection points to a seedy underworld nightmare that tragically ensnared an innocent elderly man.
Videos and photos obtained by media outlets showed Mr. Baghsarian with severe injuries, including a severed finger. Screenshots from social media channels covering Sydney's criminal underworld appeared to depict the kidnappers demanding a ransom of AU$50 million (approximately $48.6 million) for his release. In the messages, the intended target reportedly told the kidnappers, "You plugged the wrong bloke ... Good luck next time," highlighting the fatal error.
Family Response and Ongoing Developments
The victim's family issued a statement through police, welcoming the news of the arrests while requesting privacy as they continue to grapple with the tragedy. They expressed their ongoing efforts to come to terms with the incident, which has left them devastated by the loss of their father and grandfather. The case remains under active investigation as authorities work to uncover all details surrounding this disturbing crime.
This incident underscores the dangers of mistaken identity in criminal activities, with police vowing to hold those responsible accountable. The community has been shaken by the brutal nature of the crime, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward to assist in the ongoing inquiry.
