Robbery & Serious Crime Squad detectives investigating the alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian have charged a man, seized a firearm and drugs during a search warrant in Sydney's southwest yesterday.
Just after 5am on Friday 13 February 2026, officers from Ryde Police Area Command received a report that an 85-year-old man had been kidnapped from his home in North Ryde.
Local police attended before detectives attached to State Crime Command's Robbery & Serious Crime Squad began a coordinated response to recover the man under Strike Force Chabot.
Early inquiries established that Chris Baghsarian was not the intended target of the kidnapping and had been taken in a case of mistaken identity.
Mr Baghsarian's remains were located about 8am on Tuesday 24 February 2026 near a golf club in Pitt Town.
Six people have previously been charged and remain before the courts.
As inquiries continue, about 5.20am yesterday – strike force detectives – with assistance from Southwest Metropolitan OSG – executed a search warrant at property on Lansdowne Road, Canley Vale.
During the search, police seized a rifle, $66,300 in cash, 11g of cocaine, 5 ecstasy tablets, 1g of cannabis, steroids, electronic devices and a black mask.
A 23-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cabramatta Police Station, where he was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, supply prohibited drug greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity, three counts of possess prohibited drug and possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday 5 August 2026.
Detectives will allege in court the Canley Vale Location was where a Toyota Corolla was stored, before being used to relocate the 85-year-old's body and left partially destroyed on Good Street, Westmead.
As inquiries continue, strike force detectives have release CCTV for further public assistance to identify a vehicle of interest.
It's described as being a blue Mitsubishi Lancer sedan seen driving on the M5 in Moorebank on Monday 2 February 2026, and Vimiera Road in Marsfield on Thursday 12 February 2026.
Anyone with information about the vehicle is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
