APB on bear in Chico

A black bear kept law enforcement officers occupied for nearly six hours early Sunday morning (Sept. 9) after finding its way to the Lowe’s parking lot in Chico.

According to a Chico Police Department news release, officers responded to a 911 call shortly after midnight from a motorist who saw the bear in the roadway, near Notre Dame Boulevard and Forest Avenue. Apparently frightened by the citizen’s car, it ran through the lot to the adjacent tire center and climbed a large Sycamore, where it remained after police arrived two minutes later.

Officers called in California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials, who took over the scene. Around 5:30 a.m., the bear left the tree and led DFW officers on a chase across Notre Dame, through a field and over Bruce Road before continuing east, out of sight.