A teenager arrested for setting fire to a Delmar home in August has plead guilty to arson and other charges.
Benjamin Van Zandt, 17, of Selkirk, faces four to 12 years in state prison and full repayment of $455,000 in restitution, according to the Albany County District Attorney’s office. Sentencing is scheduled for February of 2011.
Van Zandt entered the Hasgate Drive home while the owners were away, stole several credit cards and set the house on fire. At the time, police said they thought Van Zandt knew the family was away on vacation.
Bethlehem police tracked down Van Zandt by tracking purchases made with the stolen credit card on the Internet. He was arrested when police staged a FedEx delivery of the items.
He gave a full confession to police upon his arrest, according to the District Attorney’s office.
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