Two men charged with murder over North Ryde kidnapping, discovery of body in Pitt Town
Updated ,first published
Heavily armed police raided properties in Sydney’s northwest, arresting two men and charging them with the kidnap and murder of elderly widower Chris Baghsarian, who was abducted from his home on suspicion of confusion.
Robbery and serious crime squad detectives from Strike Force Chobat arrested Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, at their parents’ homes in Kenthurst and Castle Hill on Wednesday morning.
Detectives found Baghsarian’s body near a golf course in Pitt Town, in Sydney’s north-western tip, on Tuesday morning.
The men were taken to Riverstone police station and charged with the alleged kidnapping of Baghsarian (holding or holding for ransom, causing actual bodily harm) and murder on Wednesday night. Both were refused bail by police to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday.
Baghsarian was taken hostage around 5 a.m. on February 13, when up to three people were kidnapped from his home in North Ryde due to suspicion of mistaken identity. Baghsarian, a grandfather and widower born in Jerusalem, lived alone and police repeatedly said he and his family had no links to organized crime.
Detectives believe the kidnappers were looking for the father of armed robber and Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, founder of the Proper Streets clothing brand, but mistakenly captured Baghsarian, who lived on the same street.
Detective Deputy Andrew Marks, acting commander of the robbery and serious crimes squad, said the kidnappers planned to kidnap 67-year-old Karo Stepanyan and hold him for ransom.
Messages allegedly between the kidnapping organizer and Dmitry Stepanyan show a ransom demand of $50 million for Baghsarian’s release. The men arrested Wednesday are not accused of sending messages.
This imprint attempted to contact Stepanyan for comment. The 37-year-old, whose brand has long been used by members of the Alameddine crime family, is not charged in any way with Baghsarian’s kidnapping.
Detectives will allege the men arrested on Wednesday morning were “in and around” North Ryde when Baghsarian was abducted and taken to an abandoned Dural property, which the 85-year-old’s kidnappers used as a “temporary stronghold” to detain and torture him. Baghsarian is believed to have died there shortly after being taken there.
Police have not yet confirmed when or how Baghsarian died, but believe he was killed before being dumped just after 9pm the day after he was allegedly kidnapped.
Detectives have not yet determined whether Andrews and Stevens signed a contract to carry out the alleged kidnapping and are investigating whether an overseas organizer was involved.
Footage of Wednesday’s dramatic arrests shows Raptor squad officers bursting through the doors of the Andrews family’s five-bedroom home in Kenthurst, minutes after jumping over the front fence of the property at around 6.30am.
As his pants fall down, three police officers walk Andrews down Sedger Road to his home toward a police cruiser. He appears to nod as he gets into the car.
Detectives continued to search properties in Kenthurst and Castle Hill and a third property in Lake Macquarie on Wednesday. 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 parked in the driveway of the home, a blue Honda Jazz and the other a white ute. Jazz withdrew from the facility just after 11 p.m. Stevens was arrested wearing only a pair of shorts. Marks said both men were known to police for “trivial” offences.
On Wednesday, detectives seized numerous electronic devices and clothing linked to Baghsarian’s alleged kidnapping and murder at three properties.
“We welcome news of the latest arrest,” Baghsarian’s family said in a statement issued through NSW Police on Wednesday morning.
Baghsarian’s relatives requested privacy “as we continue to come to terms with this incident.”
Marks said Baghsarian’s family was “devastated” by the 85-year-old’s death.
“This is someone’s worst nightmare,” he said.
“It is unacceptable for an innocent person to be taken from their home. These people need to be held accountable for this, so we are taking these people to court and hope this never happens again.”
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators were working tirelessly to identify and find people involved in Baghsarian’s disappearance.
“They have worked 24/7 since this incident occurred, determined to return Mr. Baghsarian safely to his family,” Lanyon said.
“Tragically, we know the outcome. That is not the case.”
The discovery of Baghsarian’s body comes two days after police launched a massive search in Glenorie after receiving reports that a Toyota Corolla, forensically linked to Baghsarian, was seen in the area around 9pm on February 14.
Investigators later 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 found evidence at the Dural property where Baghsarian is believed to have been killed, matching video and footage of the 85-year-old being tortured and circulating in Sydney’s criminal underworld.
Evidence found in the remains and in the Corolla set on fire on Westmead Street on February 16 also matched items found in Dural’s house.
Amid growing community concerns that innocent people are increasingly being dragged into underworld disputes, NSW Premier Chris Minns said organized crime in Sydney would be met with a “swift and overwhelming police response”.
He said the allegations of Baghsarian’s kidnapping and murder “shocked and outraged the community.”
“I can only imagine what this family has been through the last few weeks… We respect their privacy, but if they need anything, we’re there for them,” he said.
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