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Who Would Steal Flags From Civil War Graves? Woodchucks, That's Who

HUDSON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) - Who would steal flags from Civil War graves?

Authorities in Hudson, N.Y. believe that they have found the culprit in a rash of cemetery-flag thefts: woodchucks.

Mayor Bill Hallenbeck told the Register-Star that police used cameras, and confirmed that the flags were in the woodchucks' burrows.

Around 75 flags were reported missing from Civil War graves in the days leading up to and following Independence Day.

Hallenbeck said he was glad that the culprit wasn't a human resident. He added that some flags are now coated with a substance that repels woodchucks.

Woodchucks are also known as groundhogs, and they're excellent burrowers.

Hudson is a city of about 7,000 on the shore of the Hudson River, roughly 30 miles south of Albany.

Who would have suspected woodchucks? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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