Car arson plot
brings 5-year term

A Kahala man has pleaded guilty to insurance fraud, stemming from setting cars on fire that had been reported stolen in 2002 and 2003, the state Insurance Division reported yesterday.

Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto sentenced Roque Lindow to five years in prison and ordered him to pay $32,029.04 in restitution and fines.

In 2002, Lindow set fire to the car of codefendant Travis Nishimoto, who reported it stolen and filed a fraudulent claim. Both men were sentenced and ordered to pay $20,204.04 in restitution to Liberty Mutual Insurance.

In 2003, Lindow conspired with Bane Arai to vandalize Arai's car in September, and set it on fire in December.

Arai then filed claims with Progressive Insurance for the damaged vehicle. Lindow was fined $11,825, half the value of the burned car.

While he was awaiting trial, CrimeStoppers had received an anonymous tip that led to the discovery of firearms and ammunition in Lindow's Kahala home.

To anonymously report motor vehicle insurance fraud on Oahu, call the Insurance Fraud Hot Line at 587-7416.