Flag theft mystery solved: Woodchucks

Who would steal flags from Civil War graves?

Authorities in Hudson believe they have found the culprit in a rash of cemetery flag thefts: woodchucks.

Mayor Bill Hallenbeck said police deployed cameras and were able to confirm that the flags were in the woodchucks' burrows.

Around 75 flags were reported missing from Civil War graves in the Hudson River community about 30 miles south of Albany in the days leading up to and following Independence Day.

Hallenbeck said he was glad the culprit wasn't a human resident.

Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, are excellent burrowers.

-- AP