Boulder Township constable resigns after burglary arrest

By Tiffany Gibson

Published Monday, April 5, 2010 | 3:53 p.m.

Updated Monday, April 5, 2010 | 4:05 p.m.

The chief constable of Boulder Township, who is accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house and stealing several firearms, submitted a letter of resignation to Clark County commissioners March 29.

Larry Markotay, 42, was arrested March 10 after detectives served him with warrants at his home charging him with burglary while in possession of a firearm, three counts of grand larceny of a firearm and two counts of possession of stolen property.

In the letter, Markotay said he served as the Boulder Township constable for 15 years and is retiring for personal reasons. The Clark County Commission has placed an item on Tuesday’s agenda to replace Markotay temporarily. Markotay's term as constable was set to expire January 3, 2011.

Commissioner Steve Sisolak said the board has conducted background checks on the candidates who have applied for the position to prevent future issues. He said he will make a recommendation on one applicant after the results of the background checks.

Clark County Registrar Larry Lomax said Markotay was running for re-election of constable before his resignation. He said Markotay will still be on the ballot because he missed the March 23 election withdrawal date.

Boulder City Community Developer Director Brok Armantrout said Markotay has also been serving as Boulder City’s code and zoning enforcement officer for more than six years. He said he is still employed by the city but isn’t working due to the criminal investigation.

Police said Markotay admitted to picking the lock at his ex-girlfriend’s house on Feb. 14 and taking several firearms. He said he had loaned his girlfriend the firearms before their breakup in August 2009, police said.

The woman told police Markotay gave her the firearms after he appointed her as reserve constable of Boulder Township in December 2008, a police report indicated. Markotay provided her with a deputy constable badge and identification card, authorizing her ability to conduct investigations and make arrests, police said.

As acting constable, police said, Markotay needed to order the firearms for his job, however, documentation was missing, police said. Documentation was also missing for the appointment of Markotay's ex-girlfriend as reserve constable.

Authorities said the woman never attended a Peace Officer Standards and Training academy, nor did she receive a certificate as a peace officer. Authorities said Markotay also never swore the woman in as a peace officer under oath, according to Clark County Record's Office documents.

Nevada statutes require deputies appointed by the constable’s office to have their oath recorded with the county recorder. Markotay is accused of creating a false certificate for the woman.

Armantrout said the woman never served as a deputy code and zoning enforcement officer for Boulder City.

Markotay is also facing charges of DUI and fleeing the scene of an accident after crashing his duty-vehicle into a light pole near Utah and Seventh streets on Feb. 22. A citizen called 911 to report that a car had crashed into a light pole and that the occupants had left on foot.

Markotay’s peace officer certificate would have been revoked if he was convicted of a gross misdemeanor for the crash or felony charges in connection with burglary, authorities said.

His preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. July 19 in Henderson Justice Court for the felony charges. No complaint has been filed on the DUI charges.