Officials Tranquilize Bear in Montrose (Video)

 Officials have tranquilized a black bear that was spotted early Tuesday morning in Montrose and are preparing to transport it back to the Angeles National Forest.

The bear was tranquilized behind the gate of a yellow house in the 2400 block of Mayfield, next to

An official told the media that he used two tranquilizer darts on the bear, which he described as large (see video above).

Meanwhile, longtime Montrose resident William McLaughlin disagrees with the way officials are handling this particular bear incident (see video above).

“The problem is not the bear,” McLaughlin told Patch, adding: “The problem is they started chasing him at about 3:20 this morning. … The bear would be gone now if they’d left it alone.”

Sheriff's officials sent out an alert and phone call to locals that the nearly 500-pound black bear was roaming the neighborhood and to stay inside. 

The bear was spotted rummaging through the yards of homes in Montrose around Briggs Avenue and the 2400 block of Mayfield Avenue Tuesday morning as officials tried to round it up.

The bear has received plenty of attention: media and sheriff's helicopters were hovering over the scene as well as of 7:20 a.m.

It's unclear but very likely this is the same animal that has been in recent weeks, and seeking food at other homes in the area.

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