When deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office responded to an early-morning call at a South Lake Tahoe ice cream parlor, they expected to find a break-in.
They just didn’t expect the culprit to be covered in fur.
Through the glass window, the deputies could hardly believe their eyes — a large black bear was standing proudly behind the counter, looking every bit like the new manager on duty.
“The deputies could barely believe their eyes as they saw a large bear behind the counter of the shop,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
This is the sight that greeted them:
Apparently, the enterprising bear had helped himself inside during the quiet hours of the morning and decided to run the place — or at least sample the inventory.
He took his time exploring, seemingly fascinated by the frozen treasures at his paws. One flavor in particular caught his attention: strawberry.
“With some encouragement, the bear ultimately left, but only after showing interest in the strawberry ice cream,” the sheriff’s office added.
Despite the impromptu “bear shift,” deputies reported that their furry friend was surprisingly polite.
“[He] caused barely any property damage and there was barely any cleanup,” they noted.
In the end, the would-be ice cream entrepreneur padded off into the morning, leaving behind little more than a few pawprints and a sweet story that locals won’t soon forget.
Maybe next time, he’ll come back during business hours — and pay for his cone like everyone else. 🍓🐻🍦
