Hank the Tank, a 400-Pound Bear Behind Lake Tahoe Break-Ins, Is Captured

Hank the Tank, a 400-Pound Bear Behind Lake Tahoe Break-Ins, Is Captured

A female bear — and one of three known as Hank — was captured with her three cubs by California Department of Fish and Wildlife authorities. She was responsible for at least 21 home break-ins, officials said.

The captured bear was responsible for at least 21 DNA-confirmed home break-ins and extensive property damage in Tahoe Keys dating back to early 2022, the department said in a news release. The bear will be transported to an animal sanctuary in Colorado this week.

Based on visual observations made by residents during a string of rummaging and ransacking incidents dating back to 2021, the public initially thought “Hank the Tank” was one male bear. But the bear that was captured on Friday, a female known to the state as 64F, is one of three bears responsible for some of the area break-ins attributed to Hank.