Bear Found Hibernating in Vacant Home's Crawl Space

Hopatcong Borough Police said officers received a report of a bear taking its winter nap inside an empty Indian Trail residence last Friday.

Lt Thomas Kmetz said officers went to the vacant home shortly after noon after being called by a cleaning worker hired by a realtor who found a clue that he might not be alone in the house.

"When the worker went down the steps to the crawl space, he saw old and new bear feces," Kmetz explained. "When the officers arrived, Sgt. Michael O'Shea stood guard as Officer Edward Janosko peered into the crawl space.  There, [he] saw the head of a bear peering around some debris about five feet away."

The officers quickly left the crawl space area and contacted the state Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife were called, the lieutenant said. Division staff told police that they will arrive early this week to remove the bear. 

Kmetz added that the realtor was advised to inform any agent showing the property, which is on the market, that until Fish, Game and Wildlife takes action, there will be a bear in the crawl space.