Three Columbia County men arrested following arson investigation,two being volunteer firefighters at the time of their arrest

On July 28, 2016, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from the Livingston Barracks concluded a lengthy investigation into a series of incidents that occurred over the previous several years.  The investigation culminated with the arrest and indictments of three Columbia County men, two being volunteer firefighters at the time of their arrest.

The State Police commenced an investigation on August 4, 2014 when the Niverville Fire department and Troopers from the Kinderhook barracks responded to a report of a car fire on Maple Lane, in the Town of Kinderhook.  During the investigation of the incident it was determined that the vehicle fire was the result of an intentional arson.

While investigating that incident with the assistance of the Columbia County Fire Coordinator’s Office, the Columbia County Cause and Origin Team and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, State Police uncovered a trail of several other criminal acts that had occurred over the previous 4 years.

The investigation revealed the trio were connected to an arson fire set to a barn on CR-21 in the Town of Stuyvesant in April of 2014, a previous vehicle arson fire reported in October of 2012 on Kinder Drive in the Town of Stuyvesant and the falsely report of an emergency incident on the Hudson River near the Stuyvesant Boat launch in the Town of Stuyvesant, which brought several emergency services departments to the river in search of a victim at night that was later determined to be a hoax.

On May 7, 2015 Lucas J. Briggs, 23 of Hudson and Tanner J. Rivenburgh, 20 of Stottville, were arrested and charged with one count each of Arson in the 3rd Degree, a Class C Felony in connection to the vehicle arson fire reported in August of 2014.

On July 28, 2016, a Columbia County Grand Jury handed up an 11 count indictment against Ryan J. Hogencamp for his involvement in the crimes.  He was arrested on a Columbia County Court Warrant this date.

Ryan J. Hogencamp, age 32, of Kinderhook, was charged with three counts of Arson 3rd Degree, Class C Felonies, two counts of 3rd Degree Insurance Fraud, Class D Felonies, three counts of Falsifying Business Records 1st Degree, Class E Felonies, two counts of Making a False Written Statement, and Falsely Reporting an Incident, Misdemeanors.

Hogencamp was arraigned in Columbia County Court in front of Honorable Judge Richard M. Koweek and was remanded to Columbia County Jail in lieu of $35, 000 cash or $70,000 bail.

Barn Fire – April 2014

Vehicle Fire – October 2012