State Police arrest two following a vehicle arson investigation

SAND LAKE, N.Y. — On Dec. 9, New York State Police of Schodack arrested Christa Whitbeck, 39, of Albany. Whitbeck was charged with fourth-degree insurance fraud and fifth-degree conspiracy. John Martin, 27, of Rensselaer, was arrested and charged with third-degree arson and fifth-degree conspiracy.

On Aug. 20, at about 9:40 p.m. Troopers responded to the area of Huntley Road in Sand Lake, for a fully involved vehicle fire. The vehicle was not occupied at the time of the fire, and it was determined the fire had been intentionally started. The investigation discovered the vehicle owner, Whitbeck worked with Martin to deliberately destroy the vehicle to collect insurance money. Whitbeck reported the vehicle stolen to the North Greenbush Police Department just before it was located on fire and filed a claim with her insurance company the same day, reporting it was stolen and destroyed.

Whitbeck and Martin were processed at State Police barracks in Schodack. Whitbeck was issued appearance tickets returnable to the North Greenbush Town Court on Dec. 20, 2022, and released. Martin was arraigned at the East Greenbush Town Court and remanded to the Rensselaer County Correctional Facility without bail.