ORO VALLEY, โขAriz. -โ Aโ black bear โคcaused a stir at a Fry’s grocery store in Oro Valley Monday, briefly entering the building and prompting โฃshoppers to evacuate. Noโค injuries were reported, โand the bear has notโฃ been located.
The unexpected โvisit highlights the increasing frequency โขofโฃ bear encounters in the rapidly developing areas bordering the โขSonoran Desert.While bear sightings are not uncommon โinโ Oro Valley, authorities say this is the closest interaction they’ve had with the animals within town limits. The incident underscores the need for residentsโค and visitors to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to avoid attracting bears.
According to Oro Valley Police Department spokesperson Darren Wright, the bear was initially spotted โขover โฃthe weekend โin a neighborhoodโ near the store and again behind the building Monday morning. it ultimately gained entry by pushing โagainst the automatic doors,which opened and allowed itโค inside.
“It just ran around,” Wright stated. “I โdon’t think it did any damage.”
Aโ shopper’s video captured the moment a man, looking โat his phone, suddenly noticed theโ bear just feet away, prompting a quick retreat. โthe bear โwas also observed in โthe produce section, โthough it didโข not appear to take any items.
An officer arriving on the scene assisted in clearing โthe store. Authorities subsequently lost track of the bear after it exited the building.Police continue to monitor the โarea for further sightings.