Albuquerque: Bizarre Incident as Man Arrested for Attempting to Steal a Live Bear

Albuquerque: Bizarre Incident as Man Arrested for Attempting to Steal a Live BearAlbuquerque: Bizarre Incident as Man Arrested for Attempting to Steal a Live Bear In a bizarre and astonishing incident, a man in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was arrested for attempting to steal a live bear from a local zoo. The incident, which unfolded at the ABQ BioPark Zoo on Thursday evening, left zoo officials and visitors alike stunned. According to police reports, the 27-year-old suspect, identified as Bruce Jenkins, was spotted acting suspiciously near the bear enclosure. Witnesses reported seeing him pacing back and forth and peering through the bars. Shortly after, Jenkins allegedly jumped the enclosure and lunged at a 600-pound grizzly bear named Ursa. Zookeepers swiftly intervened, using tranquilizer darts to subdue both the bear and the suspect. Jenkins was taken into custody and charged with felony attempted theft of an animal and criminal trespass. “It’s mind-boggling,” said zoo spokesperson Emily Norton. “We have no idea why anyone would try to steal a bear.” The incident has raised concerns about the security measures in place at the zoo. Investigators are now reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing staff to determine how Jenkins was able to breach the enclosure. Ursa, the target of the attempted theft, is unharmed but remains under observation by zoo veterinarians. The bear’s former enclosure has been reinforced and additional security measures have been implemented throughout the zoo. Jenkins, who has a history of mental health issues, is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. The bizarre nature of his crime has sparked a mix of disbelief and amusement among the community. “It’s like something out of a Looney Tunes cartoon,” said one zoo visitor. “I can’t believe someone would actually try to steal a bear.” The ABQ BioPark Zoo remains open to the public, but visitors are urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to zoo staff. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting endangered species and maintaining the safety of zoo animals and guests.