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COURTESY HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
Blaine Faris III was charged with burglary of a dwelling during an emergency declaration.
A 33-year-old Honomu man is facing enhanced charges after he allegedly burglarized a residence in the Nanawale Estates subdivision in Puna, which is under a state of emergency due to advancing lava.
According to police, Blaine Faris III broke into a house on Kehau Road and stole a car and other items.
Faris was arrested on Thursday and charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and burglary of a dwelling during an emergency declaration. The latter charge enhances the burglary from a B-class felony to an A-class felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison with no possibility of probation.
Faris’s bail was set at $60,000.
On Sept. 4, Hawaii Mayor Billy Kenoi proclaimed a state of emergency for the Puna District under Act 111 of the 2014 state Legislature. As a result, the classifications of certain crimes are elevated while the emergency proclamation is in effect.
