Man, 32, charged with allegedly co-ordinating the kidnap and murder of Chris Baghsarian
Four people, including the man police allege was the coordinator, have been charged over the alleged abduction and murder of grandfather Chis Baghsarian from his Sydney home.
The 85-year-old man was allegedly abducted from his home in North Ryde shortly after 5am on February 13 in what police believe was a case of “mistaken identity”.
The alleged kidnapping of the man sparked a massive search; his remains were found 11 days later near a golf club in Pitt Town.
Detectives allege Mr Baghsarian was held captive in a safe house in Dural, south-west Sydney, before he was killed.
Seven people have since been charged with the alleged kidnapping and murder of the grandfather and are still before the courts.
Last week, detectives arrested and charged four more people allegedly involved in the crime, including the kidnapping coordinator.
On February 23, a 32-year-old man from Blacktown was arrested in connection with an unrelated investigation.
Police searched his car and allegedly found methylamphetamine and a gun they claimed belonged to the man.
A further search was later carried out at a unit on Union Rd in Penrith, where officers allegedly seized cannabis and a car.
During the said period, he was accused of acquiring a firearm subject to a prohibition order, possessing an unlicensed firearm-pistol, possessing ammunition without a licence/permit/permit, supplying prohibited drugs and possessing prohibited drugs three times, and his release on bail was rejected.
While police investigated the alleged kidnapping and murder of Mr Baghsarian, detectives “uncovered evidence” that the 32-year-old was the coordinator and alleged participant in the crimes.
He was arrested in Lithgow at around 10.20am on 8 July and charged with taking//detaining with intent to ransom for actual bodily harm and murder.
The man, who was refused bail, is expected to appear in court on Friday, July 17.
At approximately 9:15 a.m. on July 9, detectives arrested a 22-year-old man at Riverstone police station; here the person was charged with taking/detaining with intent to ransom for actual bodily harm and murder.
The person, who was refused bail, is expected to appear in court on July 17.
Shortly before 5 a.m. Monday, detectives and a riot squad arrested a 21-year-old in Lethbridge Park.
The man, wearing a white T-shirt and blue North Carolina Tar Heels basketball shorts, was led out of the house with his hands behind his back and his head bowed.
The pockets of his shorts were completely out as he was folded into the back of the police van where he was taken to Mt Druitt police station.
There he was charged with the crimes of actual detention/detention with the intent to cause actual bodily harm with the intention of ransom, participation in murder, and possession of prohibited drugs.
He was denied bail and appeared in court on Monday.
A few hours later at 8.50am on Monday detectives arrested a 19-year-old at Mt Druitt police station.
There, he was charged with taking/detaining with intent to inflict actual bodily harm for the purpose of ransom and accessory to a crime before murder.
He will appear in court on Tuesday.
Detectives are continuing the investigation and trying to identify the suspects behind the kidnapping and murder of Mr. Baghsarian, who is currently abroad.
