Midnight Snack: Teen Wakes to Bear Break-In at Simsbury Home!

A Simsbury family had quite the startling surprise Sunday night when a bear decided to make their home its temporary lair. This uninvited guest rummaged through their food, creating quite a mess, and only left when police scared it away.

The following morning, the bear returned, prompting wildlife officials to set a trap in hopes of capturing it. Michele Lemis, who has lived on Chriswell Drive for 23 years, couldn’t believe what was happening.

“I came home and saw my screen door broken and the air conditioner pulled out of the window,” she recalled. That’s when she spotted the bear at her front door.

She quickly called the police. As she tried to keep her composure, the bear walked right through the broken screen and climbed into the house. Inside was her 17-year-old daughter, Meilin, who was fast asleep. Michele woke her up and advised her to stay put.

“I heard him walking around and breathing heavily,” Meilin said, feeling both scared and curious. She made a split-second choice to hide in a closet, waiting anxiously as the bear sniffed around her bedroom.

When the police arrived, the bear was startled and bolted into the woods. “They shouted at it, and it seemed to get the message,” Michele said.

The bear had snacked on some of their food, leaving behind quite a mess. Michele pointed out the jar of mayonnaise, Nutella, and a bunch of grapes that were all gone. “It even took a chicken roast from the fridge but didn’t eat it,” she added, shaking her head in disbelief.

However, the next morning, the bear was back, trying to get in again. “I was shocked to see it there at my front door, persistent as ever,” Michele said. Concerned about their safety, she noted there were still paw prints on their floor and doors.

Officials from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) have since set a bear trap in their yard, baited with donuts to attract the animal. “They told us that this bear has been captured before but it has never entered a house,” Michele explained. She’s worried about her family and their dog.

The bear’s behavior is unusual, especially for a wild animal. According to recent statistics from the National Park Service, bear sightings and incidents in residential areas have been on the rise over the past few years. Urban development and reduced natural habitats are pushing these animals closer to homes in search of food.

In moments like these, it’s important to remember that wildlife experts advise residents to secure trash bins and keep food indoors to avoid attracting bears. Social media trends show many people sharing similar bear encounters, often with a sense of humor, but it highlights the growing coexistence challenge between humans and wildlife.

With the search for this bear ongoing, the family hopes for a quick resolution, eager to return to their peaceful lives without any more intrusions from the animal kingdom.



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