ELK RIVER, Minn. - It was an uninvited guest that still has the Flanagan family talking.
"I looked out the window and there was a huge black bear coming down the driveway," recalls Sarah Flanagan. "It knocked over the garbage can and pulled everything out of it."
From the second floor window, Sarah captured several minutes of cell phone video showing the bear enjoying meal after meal from their trash. At the same time, Sarah's husband and two daughters pulled into the driveway and also witnessed the bear.
"Nothing really happens and then out of the blue, there's a bear," said 9-year old Hannah Flannagan. "We were honking, but it kept eating and eating."
The bear finally scampered off and into the woods after Dad saved the day by yelling at the bear from the roof of the family car.
"He kept screaming at it," says Sarah. "I don't think he cared what he looked like. He had his kids in the car and wanted to make sure they were safe."
Law enforcement in Elk River report they've had five bear sightings this year, four in the month of June. Officials say those numbers are not alarming, but nearby Ramsey has seen more than a dozen sightings this month enough for them to place signs alerting the public of the possibility of a sighting.
"It's kind of a crazy story," says Hannah. "I've seen bears in the zoo, but never in the wild."
Experts suggest if you see a bear simply leave it alone. If you feel threatened, make loud noises or call authorities.
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