NLV fire captain indicted

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 that his 2007 Toyota Sequoia was stolen and setting it on fire on or about Jan. 28.

Prosecutors said that Stover filed an insurance claim and that his carrier paid the lienholder $35,000, eliminating a debt that included $12,000 in negative equity.

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, said 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 anytime a fire is set, the public and firefighters are put in danger.

Kunzi said investigators began looking into Stover's claim because "thieves don't go out and set fires in the desert."

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

Kunzi added that his office has been in contact with Stover's lawyer. Stover has not been arrested but is scheduled to appear in District Court on 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.