Connecticut Bear Breaks Into Home, Steals Lasagna from Freezer: Surveillance Video Shows

A Connecticut bear broke into a home and directly stole a lasagna from a freezer, according to reports earlier this week. The bizarre incident was caught by the house's security cameras, which indicated the black bear was roaming around before targeting the leftover food. It is unclear how the wild animal could raid the home and there have been no reports of casualties during the event.

This is not the first time that a black bear, officially known as the American black bear, has infiltrated a home in Connecticut. In recent years, bear sightings and related incidents have been reported in different parts of the state. Earlier in 2023, a black bear attacked a 74-year-old woman in Connecticut, where the victim sustained wounds on her arms and legs due to bites from the animal.

Connecticut Bear Raids Home

The surveillance video, uploaded on YouTube on October 13, shows the bear home raid incident at the house of Helena Houlis in the town of Barkhamsted in Litchfield County, Connecticut. In the 1-minute clip, the black bear casually went into the home's kitchen area and opened using its paws the bottom drawers of the refrigerator where the lasagna is reportedly stored.

According to reports, the leftover lasagna was from Houlis' restaurant, Ana's Kitchen in Simsbury. The video also shows the sharp-clawed burglar using its jaws to carry the bag of lasagna before sneaking out of the house.

Connecticut Bear Sightings

Incidents related to bear sightings just like the one in the Barkhamsted home raid are not rare. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, there have been 137 reported cases so far this year. There are instances where bear encounters, in addition to sightings, can lead to dangerous and life-threatening risks.

In April, a female black bear attacked a 74-year-old Connecticut woman, who sustained multiple wounds from the incident. The victim was walking her dog on a leash in the Hartford suburb area when the wild bear attack occurred. Bear encounters, including sightings and attacks, are not surprising in the state due to the high bear population.

According to the state department, there are approximately 1,000 and 1,200 black bears living in Connecticut, with related sightings reported in 158 out of the state's 169 towns and cities. The US government agency also adds the bears are most active at night and often avoid humans but can go near human settlements where food sources are found near homes.

American Black Bear

The American black bear species (Ursus americanus) is endemic in North America. Belonging to the family Ursidae and order Carnivora, black bears are omnivores which means they are capable of eating food originating from both animal meat and plant matter to gain energy and nutrients. In relation to the Connecticut home raid, it is no surprise that the bear favored the lasagna, which is made from a combination of meat and vegetable ingredients.

According to wildlife experts, American black bears in some areas where food is scarce are relatively smaller than other bears in place where food is abundant, including heavily human populated areas. Although these large mammals can live anywhere where they can find food, they are mostly found where there are trees.