500-Pound Black Bear Terrorizes Lake Tahoe

California authorities have launched a hunt for a black bear that’s been terrorizing Lake Tahoe residents by breaking into their homes, causing damage and stealing food.

 

The bear — dubbed “Hank the Tank” by its victims — reportedly tips the scales at more than 500 pounds, according to South Lake Tahoe police.

 

Hank’s most recent break-in occurred Friday in the Tahoe Keys area, the police department reports. “This bear did not break into a garage where trash was kept that he was sniffing out,” Tahoe police posted on their Facebook page. “He broke into a secured home, through the small window, and somehow squeezed inside.”

Since beginning his reign of terror, Hank has broken into at least a dozen homes, a police rep says.

 

Until the bear is captured, the U.S. National Park Service is warning residents to “keep their distance away from the animal.”