PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. — Their suspect was big and furry.
Officers in Port Coquitlam, B.C., a suburb of Metro Vancouver, were called to a report of break-in Tuesday night.
RCMP say the suspect allegedly damaged the fence, then searched through several garbage bins during the caper.
Investigators say the clues led them to believe it was the work of a known suspect and neighbourhood inquiries confirmed their culprit was indeed a bear.
While the news release the RCMP later put out may have been tongue-in-cheek, their message is serious about being more bear aware in the community where a bear sighting isn't unusual.
Corp. Jamie Chung says the bears are out looking for more food before they hibernate and residents need to make sure they remove anything that could attract the bears, both for public safety and the life of the bear.