Keaukaha Homes Burglarized During Tsunami Evacuation

Police are looking for a burglar or burglars who took advantage of Saturday’s tsunami evacuation notice and broke into homes in Keaukaha.

Police said eight home burglaries were reported on Kalanianaole Avenue in the coastal area of Hilo that night.

Because the crimes occurred during a civil defense emergency, they are being investigated as a Class A felony which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Anyone with information on these burglaries, including residents who didn’t evacuate and saw suspicious persons in the area, are asked to call Sgt. James Correa at 961-2289 or the police department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipster who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.