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Stumble85 firearms seized in Boulder City constable probe
Published Monday, March 15, 2010 | 12:03 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, March 17, 2010 | 1:30 p.m.
Larry Markotay
Sun Archives
After Boulder City's constable was arrested March 10 on burglary and false documentation charges, officers served search warrants at his office, home and three storage areas and confiscated 85 firearms, as well as badges and drug paraphernalia, police said Monday.
Larry Markotay, 42, the chief constable of Boulder Township, was arrested 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.
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 the Boulder City 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.
Authorities said they found 85 firearms at his home, office and at storage areas, including 35 rifles and six shotguns. He also had more than 24 badges from various agencies, as well as a Boulder City Police captain badge. Authorities also found a firearm with an obliterated serial number and several items of drug paraphernalia in his office.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms assisted with the search, 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.
Police 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.
Richard Clark, executive director of Nevada commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, said constables must meet certain requirements when appointing a reserve, however, a reserve can serve for one year without any training in Nevada.
If the woman didn't receive training after one year then she can't continue to hold that position, he said. It was unknown Monday if the woman is still serving as reserve constable.
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.
Boulder City Police arrested Markotay without incident in connection with the burglary on Wednesday. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center without bail.
Clark said Markotay’s peace officer certificate will be revoked if he is convicted of a gross misdemeanor for the crash or felony charges in connection with burglary.
Markotay's scheduled arraignment this morning in Henderson Justice Court was reset for 9 a.m. March 18 to give attorneys more time for negotiations. Authorities said he is no longer in custody.
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Minor detail, sounds like some civil family dispute, and all these cops get some slap on the wrist plea bargain anyway. They should just drop the whole thing, these cops are truly the "untouchables" around here.
I'm more concern about the 2nd amendment violations
What's the big deal? So he picks the lock on his ex-girlfriends house and steals some guns, missing documentation? Give me a break, since when do you need to document your g/f. Seems like he's getting a raw deal, here. He crashes a duty car, and flees the scene. Hey if I did that, I would be facing felony charges, but he was probably on his way back from breaking into a girlfriend's house,stealing some guns and didn't feel like facing the cops. I understand, completely.
Stay classy San Diego
"Authorities said he is no longer in custody."
WOW, imagine that!
What a scam job. How do you get made a "constable" ?? At least wear the London bobby hat.
this is the type of person that will tell you how to live or else feel the wrath lol
What's going on with these immigrants!! This guy made his girlfriend a reserve constable!! How much is the salary for that? Wow, I wonder if I could just make my girlfriend an assistant at my job and put her on the payroll. I would swear her in and everything else. Bouldcity should be embarrassed. Wait, i just swore myself in as Constable of BouldCity. Who wants to be a reserve? Meet me at the bar to sign the paper work. I thought the economy was bad? They talking about laying people off and there are no jobs? YOu got to be kidding me..there are jobs as reserve Constables.
" Authorities also found a firearm with an obliterated serial number and several items of drug paraphernalia in his office."
Umm , strike one and strike two!
Maybe he had medical pot, sounds like Elvis with his badge collection. Maybe he is a member of a certain religion that we are not allowed to mention, who get nice treatment from their fellow coreligionists in the judges chambers?
tbrownbag, it is embarrassing to boulder city residents. sad thing is, he will probably be back to work soon. according to the bouldr city website, he also does work for the city to. here is from their web
(( Our current code enforcement officer is a long time resident, Larry Markotay -- who also happens to be the elected Constable for the Boulder Township. The City is fortunate in that Mr. Markotay is also a POST category I certified peace officer, which enables the City to provide a higher level of service for code enforcement activities. ))
oh well
What are the chances that the weapon used by Johnny Lee Wicks, the federal courthouse shooter, came from Mr. Markotay? Metro and the ATF haven't announced the source of the shotgun Johnny Lee Wicks used.
Judging by the looks of his house, I bet he just stole stuff and turned down bribes.
This guy is a joke. Boulder City is Mayberry and this guy is thier Barney Fife, Wanna be cop,way out of shape and couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper sack. He's as wide as he is tall and if he fell down the fire crew has to go pick him up, Total Embarrasment to him self and the City.
As long as BCPD is doing "the right thing" they have "nothing to worry about", that being re-stated from the corrupt elimate you can be asssured exists in BCPD.(fedup2here, I assure you Mayberry & Barney Fife were not portrayed as being as malviolent & heady with abusive authority as SOME police are in Boulder City)