Florida police dashcam catches bear mid-garbage meal

May 23 (UPI) -- A Florida police officer's dashboard camera allowed investigators to make a "paws-itive" identification for a Dumpster-tipping suspect -- a large black bear.

The city of North Port posted a video to YouTube showing dashcam footage from North Port police officer Justin Lindsey's patrol vehicle Saturday night.

The officer's headlights interrupted a large black bear's meal in the Wylam Drive and Veterans Boulevard neighborhood.

Police said the bear apparently wandered into town after being displaced by the recent Raintree brush fire and was eating trash from a garbage container it overturned outside a church. The bear appeared as though it was considering climbing a tree before being again illuminated by Lindsey's headlights and fleeing into a nearby wooded area.

The video's description reads:

"Paws-itive identification. NPPD Officer Justin Lindsey caught something a little unusual on his dash-cam Saturday night. A large Black Bear in the area in the City. The bear potentially drawn out after the recent #Raintreefire. The animal turned over a very large dumpster at a nearby church and was eating the trash. Residents in the area should take precautions. Also, if we find anyone interacting with the animal unnecessarily, you will be held responsible."