Black bear is given VERY on-brand nickname by locals as it breaks into California homes, raids kitchens, and leaves with one sweet treat

A four-legged bandit has broken into homes in a sleepy California neighborhood in search of groceries and his all-time favorite snack: Oreos.

Neighbors on Canyon Crest Drive in Monrovia have grown accustomed to the sight of a huge black bear strolling down the sidewalk, often with a sweet snack between its jaws.

On Saturday, the hairy thief broke down a window at a house to get a package of the sandwich cookies of the same name. This happened just a week after another bear broke into that family’s car and stole groceries.

“We’re very used to it,” Monrovia resident Vina Khoury said KTL.

Khoury’s history with Oreo is personal. Last summer the bear walked into her garage, opened the refrigerator and grabbed a box of chocolate cake.

Neighbors have spotted the bear casually strolling around the neighborhood with packets of sugar cookies in its jaws

Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Monrovia residents often mingle with wildlife. Signs around the area warn unsuspecting visitors of bear sightings.

Oreo’s presence is so common that residents stand on their porches to watch the bear make off with its loot.

Although Oreo isn’t showing any signs of aggression yet, Khoury says it’s still worth being cautious.

“We’ve never heard of a bear attack here, but still, if they’re too close or if it’s a mother bear with her cubs, you don’t want to be too close to them or scare them because you don’t know when they’re going to attack you,” she said.

And wildlife experts agree. Although black bears are known for being shy and flighty, people are encouraged to keep their distance when bears are spotted in their backyard.

BearWise, an educational study that helps people live safely with animals, instructs people who “make loud noises, shout, or bang pots and pans together” to deter a bear from their property.

If the bear is found in a building, it is important to give the animal a clear escape route.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife notes that the black bear is the only bear species living in the Golden State today.

They come in a variety of colors and are often confused with grizzly bears. Like Oreo, their fur can be blonde or cinnamon colored.

The hairy bandit even broke into a resident’s garage and searched the refrigerator for a box of chocolate cake

Oreo and other bears often wander from the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains in the spring, looking for trash and food

The four-legged thief ripped out a window at a home to grab a package of his favorite sandwich cookies, just a week after another bear broke into that family’s car

For years, Canyon Crest Drive has been visited by California black bears as the weather warms and the omnivores leave their winter dens in search of food.

They often follow their noses into residential areas, lured by the smell of trash and anything else they can scavenge.

The problem is so widespread that the city of Monrovia has posted a “Bear Safety Guide” on its official website.

“The Monrovia Police Department would like to remind the public to act responsibly in bear country,” it said is reading.

“Tips for Bear-Proofing Your Home” include waiting to take out trash until the morning of collection day, deodorizing trash cans and keeping barbecue grills clean and stored when not in use.

Neighbors are discouraged from keeping food or trash in their cars and from keeping doors and windows locked.

As the boundary between nature and civilization continues to blur, there is a risk that animals will become accustomed to the presence of humans, causing property damage or risks to public safety.

But at the end of the day, it’s important to remember that they’re just bears being bears.

“During the spring and summer, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife receives many calls when bears enter homes and rummage through trash cans,” according to the city’s website.

‘These bears are often labeled as ‘nuisance’ bears, but in reality they are just doing what comes naturally to them: foraging for food.’

Several residents are considering talking to wildlife experts about whether the bear should be relocated, but nothing official has been initiated yet. For now, Oreo remains.