Video shows bear running through New Jersey neighborhood

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. (WPVI) -- An Action News viewer captured video of a black bear running through a neighborhood in Mercer County, New Jersey on Tuesday.

The sighting happened in the Yorkshire Village in Lawrenceville.

You see the bear run across the street, then onto someone's lawn before it disappears into a wooded area.

That viewer wasn't the only person to spot the bear.

"Oh look at this bear, bear over here," shouted Stanley as he recalled seeing the black bear moments earlier.

Stanley said it was lunchtime when the bear stopped him in his tracks as it quickly ran across the street.

On Monday in West Windsor, police warned residents about a black bear sighting in the area of Market Fair and Canal Pointe.

Last month in Hamilton Township, a black bear was spotted running through a neighborhood.

In Mercer County two days ago, there were two black bear sightings.

One was captured on video by Shaffona Morgan seen along Parkway Avenue putting its paws on top of a fence and quickly climbing over.

"I was creeping down the road, he came walking out. I was like, 'Oh it's the bear, it's the bear! I started taking shots of him," noted Morgan.

It's that time of year, bear sightings aren't frequent in Mercer County but they also aren't uncommon.

"He looked like a baby casually going about his way, didn't seem bothered or aggressive. Just passing through," Morgan said.

Officials are urging residents to not chase or corner the wild animal.

To help prevent attracting bears, residents are encouraged to secure their garbage.

To report a sighting or damage, you can call the DEP at 1-877-927-6337. Lawrence officials said do not call animal control, as those officers are not equipped to handle bears, and Fish & Wildlife does not respond to routine bear sightings.