By Jack Johnson
Boulder City Review
An investigation stemming from the Feb. 22 car crash and charges against Boulder Township Chief Constable and Boulder City Code Enforcement Officer Larry Markotay led to the official being arrested again March 10, this time on felony firearm/burglary-related charges.
The original charges against Markotay included driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of an accident.
According to Boulder City Police, at least three of the four guns that were lying on the ground near Markotay’s 2003 Ford Crown Victoria after he crashed into a pole and fled the scene on Utah Street near 7th Street were believed to be guns stolen from Markotay’s ex-girlfriend’s house on Feb. 14.
Markotay’s ex-girlfriend, Cathleen Winterrowd, told police she believed Markotay, a locksmith, had picked her lock and stolen the guns (which had had given her as gifts) from her Boulder City home, police say. But there wasn’t enough probable cause for an arrest until the guns were found at the accident, three easily matching descriptions Winterrowd had given.
“She reported three firearms were taken, but so far we can only develop enough probable cause to say he took three of the four,” Boulder City Police Lt. Dan Jennings said.
Markotay is currently in custody at Clark County Detention Center and being charged with one count of burglary while in possession of a firearm, three counts of grand larceny of a firearm and two counts of possession of stolen property.
In addition to the charges stemming from the robbery, Jennings said Markotay is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration because the number of firearms he purchased through the Boulder Township Constable’s Office appeared to be “excessive” for an agency of its size.
Police don’t know why the guns were lying on the ground outside the car when they received a call and responded to the scene of the accident.
“I have no idea,” Jennings said, “The whole thing is bizarre.”
