“How does it even happen? How does a bear get into somebody’s car, then lock the door?”
In a video posted by Port Moody Police on Twitter, a resident asks this question while shining a light on a surprising scene on Sept. 13.
In the early morning hours, police were called to a residence on Ioco Road for a “theft from auto in progress.”
A black bear had somehow locked itself in a vehicle.
“Upon arrival, members quickly determined the home owners had captured the want to be thief in the car and the suspect was actively trying to escape,” said Acting Sgt. Rob Degoey in a release.
“As members arrived on scene to assist with containment it was apparent the suspect had gained entry with his bear hands.”
We are frequently reminded that you never know what you are going to encounter over the course of your shift. This is what awaited our members at a call last night. Thank you to the resident for the video. pic.twitter.com/jsUwAY6PFx
— Port Moody Police (@PortMoodyPD) September 13, 2019
BC Conservation officers also responded and “after careful planning and determining the thief made an honest mistake, the door was opened and the suspect was released without charges.”
The video posted to Twitter shows the bear causing damage to the interior of the vehicle, but Degoey said “the suspect was unharmed and free to embrace its new found freedom.”
READ MORE: Salmon Arm man survives head-on crash that totals car, kills bear
Jokes aside, Degoey reminded residents to keep their doors locked.
“These incidents are rare but remind us to keep our car doors locked, as well as garbage containers secured at all times,” he said.
Jason Maschke, community relations officer for the Port Moody Police, later told Black Press Media there was no food in the vehicle.
“We assumed it had opened the door,” Maschke said. “The bear was probably able to pull the handle and get in.”
In June 2013 a Maple Ridge family also posted a video to YouTube that shows a black bear breaking into their truck.
READ MORE: Maple Ridge family records bear opening truck doors
If you encounter a bear you believe to be aggressive call 911.
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