Firefighter pleads not guilty in arson fraud case

A North Las Vegas Fire Department captain accused of arson and insurance fraud pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Gary Stover, 37, pleaded not guilty to charges of arson with intent to defraud an insurer, third-degree arson, insurance fraud and two counts of theft.

His co-defendant, Francisco Robles, 45, also pleaded not guilty. He is not a firefighter.

They are scheduled to go to trial in January 2010.

Authorities said Stover claimed his 2007 Toyota Sequoia was stolen in January. A day after he reported it missing, Stover's vehicle was found on fire in the desert west of the Las Vegas Beltway.

Stover filed an insurance claim, and his carrier paid the lienholder $35,000.

Brian Kunzi, head of the insurance fraud unit with the state attorney general's office, said the two men are acquaintances.

Stover began working for the North Las Vegas Fire Department in 1994. He was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal case.