This morning at about 10:30am, a large black bear was spotted roaming across the lawns of several residents in Bessemer City.
The creature was first spotted on East Florida Ave. and another sighting was reported on East Washington Ave., according to Bessemer City Police.
North Carolina Wildlife officials are now working with the Bessemer City Police Department to find and relocate the bear to keep residents safe.
Bear sightings have been increasing around the Charlotte region over the past couple years as development continues to push into more rural areas.
Last July, emergency crews were called out to Mooresville to get a large bear down from a tree, a black bear sent shoppers running at the Stonecrest Shopping Center, and a large black bear was also recently spotted rummaging through neighborhood trash cans in Waxhaw.