N. Las Vegas Fire Capt. Indicted on Attempted Insurance Fraud

A North Las Vegas fire captain has been indicted on arson charges after his vehicle was found on fire a day after he reported it stolen from a gas station, the Nevada attorney general said.

Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said in a statement that Gary V. Stover has been indicted on felony charges of arson, arson with intent to defraud insurer, insurance fraud and two counts of theft.

According to the indictment, Stover reported his Toyota Sequoia stolen from a local gas station in late January, and the vehicle was found on fire the next night in the desert. Stover then filed an insurance claim and his insurance carrier paid the lien holder $35,000, the indictment says.

Edie Cartwright, a spokeswoman for Masto’s office, says a summons has been issued for Stover’s arrest.

“Auto arson is an ongoing problem in our community,” Masto said in a statement. “This case is especially surprising because the person charged is someone who is entrusted with protecting the public against the dangers of fire.”

There was no answer at a Las Vegas phone listing for a Gary V. Stover at press time.

A second man, Francisco J. Robles, also was indicted on charges of arson and arson with intent to defraud insurer. Masto’s office alleges Robles helped set the fire and attempted to provide an alibi for Stover.

Cartwright had no details on Robles’ connection to Stover. A message could not be left at a phone listing for a Francisco J. Robles.

North Las Vegas Fire Department Deputy Chief Kevin Brame said Wednesday that Stover has been placed on administrative leave from the department.