Ore. deputies: Wooden statue was a bear to steal

[January 09, 2013]  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A bear that weighs more than 200 pounds is missing, and it's not in hibernation.

The sheriff's office in Washington County, Ore., says the wooden statue of a bear was stolen from a home in Portland during the weekend.

The homeowner bought the 5-foot-tall statue in 1996 for $1,700 and had it displayed in the front yard for many years.

Sheriff's Sgt. Bob Ray says the theft occurred in the overnight hours, and it would have taken at least two people to carry away the bear.

Investigators are confident the public will help them quickly solve the crime. Authorities have yet to receive any tips, but Ray says "you can't hide that bear."

[Associated Press]

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