On August 12, 2024, Jennifer Autar (DOB: 10/1/89) and Natasha Gregoire (DOB: 12/9/89) were found guilty after a jury trial of Attempted Arson in the Second Degree, a Class C Violent Felony, for attempting to intentionally damage a dwelling by lighting a fire while a resident was inside the building. The jury acquitted both defendants of attempted arson of a vehicle that was in the driveway. Both Autar and Gregoire are scheduled to be sentenced on October 22, 2024. They each face up to 15 years of incarceration when sentenced.
The investigation began on January 29, 2022, the Schenectady Police Department (SPD) and the Schenectady Fire Department (SFD) were called to a fire at a residence on Forest Road in Schenectady at approximately 6:20 am. After obtaining and analyzing videos from home security cameras, fire investigators were able to determine the fire was intentionally set by two masked individuals who poured gasoline on the natural gas meter and porch of the residence. These two then lit the fire near the natural gas line while knowing the resident was still in the house. The resident contacted 911 after smelling gasoline and noticing the fire. The fire burned in the driveway under the natural gas line eventually spreading toward a vehicle in the driveway next to the house before being extinguished by the fire department. No damage was done to the building and no one was injured as a result of the fire.
SPD investigator James Claus obtained images from the victim’s home security that showed two people masked and in disguise pouring gasoline on the gas meter and spray painting a surveillance camera. He found a neighbor’s camera that showed a view of the car used by the would-be arsonists. SFD Lieutenant and Fire Investigator Christopher Apa determined the make of the vehicle and contacted the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center (CRCAC) to ask if they had any information about a GMC Acadia, possibly connected to these two individuals who had been named as suspects by the homeowner, with whom they had been feuding. The CRCAC notified him that Trooper Jacob Salerno of the New York State Police had interacted with them on the NYS Thruway on the day of the fire when he saw that they had pulled on the shoulder of the Thruway in a GMC Acadia. Nearby the trooper saw a fire burning off the road. Later examination revealed that the defendants were burning the gas can, masks, and glasses that they had used to disguise their identities during this crime. They had rented the vehicle from Enterprise in the Bronx. At trial their attorneys conceded their clients’ actions but claimed it was all a prank, rather than a crime. The jury deliberated for about 40 minutes before rendering their verdict.
District Attorney Robert M. Carney commended the work of those investigators and the prosecutorial team led by designated arson prosecutor Michael DeMatteo, stating, “ADA DeMatteo in his opening statement rightly said these defendants planned the perfect crime. They knew there were cameras and they disguised their identities and rented a car in NYC to defeat detection, but the networks we have built locally to devote to arson cases, and regionally to link law enforcement intelligence across jurisdictions, ultimately were their downfall. Arson is a terrible crime and the resources that we dedicate to curbing it continue to pay dividends in public safety.”
The People are represented by Assistant District Attorney and designated arson prosecutor Michael DeMatteo and Assistant District Attorney Emma Moskowitz. Autar is represented by attorney Rachel Ostereich and Gregoire is represented by Michael Mullen. Hon. Matthew Sypniewski presided over the trial.