North Greenbush car theft report transforms into arson fraud arrest

North Greenbush police have arrested a woman after a months-long investigation into a car theft that police now say never happened. Instead, police say it turned into a case of arson fraud.

Christa Witbeck of Rensselaer reported her car stolen from the parking lot of Van Rensselaer Square Shopping Center back on August 20.

State police and Averill Park fire crews put out a fire on a vehicle 20 minutes later, that investigators are now finding out to be the same.

North Greenbush police say their joint investigation with state police quickly determined Witbeck, 39, lied about the theft.

Witbeck is facing charges with both North Greenbush and state police.