Honolulu Man Convicted of Auto Insurance Fraud

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Insurance Division has reported it has successfully prosecuted a man for auto insurance fraud.

Kahala resident Roque Lindow pleaded guilty to three cases of insurance fraud and one case involving firearm charges. Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto sentenced Lindow to five years of incarceration in each of the four cases and ordered him to pay $32,029.04 in restitution and fines. The sentences will be served concurrently. The state’s request for consecutive sentencing was denied.

In one case, Lindow agreed to set fire to codefendant Travis Nishimoto’s vehicle in October 2002. The care was reported as stolen by Nishimoto, and a fraudulent insurance claim was filed. Both men have been sentenced in that case and were ordered to pay $20,204.04 in restitution to Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.

In 2003, Lindow conspired with Bane Arai to vandalize Arai’s car in September and set fire to his car in December. Arai filed claims with Progressive Insurance to receive payment for the damaged vehicle. Roque will pay a fine of $11,825, half the value of the burned vehicle.

While awaiting trial, an anonymous tip regarding Lindow was received by Crime Stoppers. This led to the fourth case, where authorities found firearms and ammunition in Lindow’s Kahala home.