S.C. bear back at animal refuge after 'cubnapping'

[August 14, 2008]  WELLFORD, S.C. (AP) -- A stolen bear cub is back with his brother at a South Carolina animal park after being snatched and put on display at a truck stop.

The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg reports that 31-year-old John Chadwick Montgomery was charged Tuesday with third-degree burglary and grand larceny.

Authorities say Montgomery took the 7-month-old cub from the Hollywild Animal Park on Saturday night. Workers say he planned to take a monkey but opted for the bear after another monkey attacked him.

Montgomery took the bear to a truck stop and charged people $1 each to pet the animal. The bear was returned to the park unharmed.

Jail officials said they did not know if Montgomery had an attorney. Records show he was in custody Wednesday morning.

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Information from: Herald-Journal, http://www.goupstate.com/

[Associated Press]

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