The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office was warning people in the Lake Tahoe area to be “bear aware” this spring, after deputies had to remove a bear that became trapped in a car in Incline Village.

The sheriff’s office said deputies “coordinated a plan and were able to safely free the trapped bear,” with video showing it was a case of the long rope of the law. The rope was attached to a rear door handle on the car, allowing the bear to be freed with deputies at a safe distance.

The video also showed the car’s wrecked interior, after the bear left the scene.

The sheriff’s office said people should be “mindful of food wrappers, coolers, and scented items in vehicles” and avoid “leaving food in cars.” Credit: Washoe Sheriff via Storyful