Hank the Tank: 500lb bear terrorises Californian suburb

A 500lb black bear has been terrorising an upmarket neighbourhood in California.

The wild creature has been named Hank the Tank by locals who have been impressed by his ability to barge through garage doors.

He has reportedly broken into more than 28 homes in his burglary spree to scavenge food.

Police have used bean-bags, paintballs, tasers and sirens to try and scare Hank away from South Lake Tahoe with no success, the New York Times reported.

But determined Hank has yet to be put off and usually comes back.

Worried Locals fear if the bear, who has attracted over 100 police calls, doesn’t leave he could be fatally wounded by police.

Environmentalists the BEAR league have been frantically looking for a sanctuary that would accept Hank if he can be caught humanely.

Peter Tira, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife told reporters: “It’s easier to find leftover pizza than to go in the forest. This is a bear that has lost all fear of people. It’s a potentially dangerous situation.”

He added Hank did not wander into a trap set for him this month so police are brainstorming a new approach, with euthanasia being their “last option”.

Ann Bryant, the executive director of the Bear League, a wildlife rescue service said: “He just sits there and eats... He doesn’t attack them. He doesn’t growl. He doesn’t make rude faces.”