Residents of West Milford, New Jersey, were left astonished this week after an unlikely shopper paid a visit to their local discount store—a fully-grown black bear.
In a scene more reminiscent of a wildlife documentary than a retail outlet, startling CCTV footage obtained by DailyMail.com shows the bear ambling calmly through the aisles of the Dollar General on Marshall Hill Road. The bizarre incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, long after the store had closed for business.
A Surreal Supermarket Sweep
The video shows the powerful animal navigating the store with a surprising sense of purpose, its dark fur illuminated by the sterile fluorescent lighting. It pauses by shelves, seemingly inspecting the merchandise, before continuing its solitary exploration of the snack and household goods aisles.
Store employees arriving for work the next morning were greeted by an unexpected mess. The bear had reportedly rummaged through stock, tearing into several bags of dog food and leaving a trail of debris in its wake.
Police Response and Public Safety Warning
Local law enforcement was swiftly notified of the unusual break-in. The West Milford Police Department confirmed they responded to the activated burglar alarm at approximately 3:30 AM, initially unaware that the perpetrator was a four-legged resident of the nearby Appalachian Mountain foothills.
Authorities have since issued a reminder to the community, a region known for its frequent bear sightings, to remain vigilant. "This is a timely reminder that we live in bear country," a police spokesperson stated, urging residents to secure their garbage and remove any other potential food sources that might attract wildlife into urban areas.
The animal eventually found its way out of the store, disappearing back into the surrounding woodland without any confrontation. No injuries were reported.
