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Posted: Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 8:59 AM HST

Police probe Hilo tsunami evacuation burglaries

By Associated Press

HILO, Hawaii (AP) — Big Island police are investigating several burglaries that took place in a coastal neighborhood of Hilo while residents had evacuated during a tsunami warning over the weekend. Eight residential burglaries were reported on Kalanianaole Avenue in Keaukaha on Saturday night. Hawaii County police said Tuesday they're investigating each as a "burglary of a dwelling during a civil defense emergency." The crime is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Authorities issued evacuation orders on Saturday after geologists said an earthquake off Canada had generated tsunamis with potential to flood Hawaii's coastal areas with dangerous currents.