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Jul. 01, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NLV Fire Department captain indicted on arson charges

By ANTONIO PLANAS and LYNNETTE CURTIS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

A North Las Vegas Fire Department captain was indicted Wednesday on several felony charges, including arson, that stem from a false insurance claim filed to erase a debt, the state attorney general’s office said.

Capt. Gary V. Stover, 37, is accused of claiming his 2007 Toyota Sequoia was stolen at a gas station earlier this year and setting it on fire around Jan. 28. Prosecutors said Stover filed an insurance claim and his carrier paid the lienholder $35,000, eliminating a debt that included $12,000 in negative equity.

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    • Stover’s sport-utility vehicle was found on fire the day after he reported it missing. It was in a desert area west of the Las Vegas Beltway.

    Stover is charged with arson with intent to defraud an insurer, third-degree arson, insurance fraud and two counts of theft, the indictment said.

    A co-conspirator, Francisco J. Robles, also faces charges of arson with intent to defraud an insurer, and third-degree arson.

    Authorities said Robles was not a firefighter but an acquaintance of Stover.

    Stover could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

    North Las Vegas Fire Chief Al Gillespie said the charges against Stover were shocking.

    “To have an employee accused of any crime is bad enough,” Gillespie said. “But to be indicted on a crime we try to protect our citizens from is disheartening.”

    Stover began working with the department in September 1994, according to North Las Vegas spokeswoman Brenda Fischer.

    Stover, whose annual salary is $95,275, will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of his criminal case, Fischer said.

    The city also is pursuing an administrative investigation to determine whether he violated any city policies or procedures, she said.

    Brian Kunzi, director of the insurance fraud unit with the attorney general’s office, reiterated Gillespie’s sentiment. He said the public and firefighters are put in danger any time a fire is set.

    Kunzi said investigators began looking into Stover’s insurance claim because “thieves don’t go out and set fires in the desert.”

    He said the attorney general’s office worked closely with the Las Vegas police department’s Auto Theft Detail in the investigation.

    Kunzi said his office has been in contact with Stover’s lawyer. Stover has not been arrested, but is scheduled to appear in District Court July 16.

    Kunzi said Stover’s case is a typical fraud case involving cars.

    “People think the easy way out is to have their car stolen and burned,” Kunzi said. “You’re going to be prosecuted. If you’re convicted, you’ll end up paying for the car anyway, we’ll get restitution. And you’ll have a criminal record.”

    Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.

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    joe wrote on July 02, 2009 05:01 PM: "Stover, whose annual salary is $95,275, will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of his criminal case, Fischer said."

    I bet he gets a promotion. And just think, in just 5 more years he can retire and kick back collecting more than I make working!


    skate wrote on July 02, 2009 12:04 AM: Kunzi doesn't have a clue. Vehicles are stolen all over the country, for joy rides and/or to be used in a crime. Then they are set on fire to try and "get rid of the evidence". His comment that "Thieves don't go out and set fires in the desert." doesn't hold water.


    A Contractor wrote on July 01, 2009 11:46 PM: You gotta' be kidding... PAID leave of 95K, AFTER he torches his car ?? This is one of MANY reasons that we no longer need Unions. Unions protect the guilty, protect the weak, protect the worthless, and provide protection by tenure (instead of merit). What a complete joke !! Hang on people... wait until they actually have some power, when the EFCA is passed !!!


    Free Nevada wrote on July 01, 2009 11:00 PM: They said Stover hasn't been arrested yet, so hopefully he's gettin' his affairs in order...



    @Too_many_unions, you know about being killed inside of burning buildings or giving mouth-to-mouth to people who wouldn't even buy you a beer 'cuz of your skin color, right? $95K is a-ok for all firefightin' peeps who don't hurt others (even if it's just by taking food off their table by jackin' up their insurance premiums).


    heydude wrote on July 01, 2009 08:35 PM: Why do public employees get PAID leave when stuff like this occurs ?


    Too_many_unions wrote on July 01, 2009 08:31 PM: Stover, whose annual salary is $95,275 ..

    How much was this guy making in OT? Another overpaid public employee. Where I come from, FF's were VOLUNTEERS.


    Duane wrote on July 01, 2009 07:22 PM: STOOOOOPID !


    Don Best wrote on July 01, 2009 07:12 PM: Jesus, a GED and connections gets you 100 large, and you still screw it up. "Don't go in there, it's on fire, Tommie, we'll just spray water on it, and wait to see if anyone is dead inside". Heroic loafers.


    John wrote on July 01, 2009 04:55 PM: That is at the very top of stupid! Lose a great paying job, wonderful benefits, excellent retirement, maybe your family and your reputation over 35k? Dum-de-dum-dum ....


    Amazing wrote on July 01, 2009 04:16 PM: With overtime this guy probably made a $150K a year and still was greedy. Reference yesterday's story on the State tax increases and the blogs by the firefighters laughing about their six figure salaries!!!

    Also the back and forth between the Fire Dept and poster Helen Weils was precious!


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