Los Angeles, Ca
Bear nicknamed 'Oreo' invades Monrovia homes for food, desserts
Video captures a bear nicknamed “Oreo” continually sneaking into homes in Monrovia and ransacking fridges.
The bear is seen typically roaming around a cul-de-sac located on Canyon Crest Drive.
While trying to enter one of the homes, the bear ripped a window screen off attempting to enter through the front window but was unsuccessful. It eventually found a way in through an open side door.
Another neighbor left her garage door open and the bear wasted no time exploring the property.
The bruin headed directly to the refrigerator and opened it up. It eventually found a box of chocolate cake which it quickly opened and began enjoying.
Although residents said bear sightings in the area are common, it’s still unnerving to know a bear could be waiting around the corner of their homes.
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A bear nicknamed “Oreo” finds a box of chocolate cake after searching through a refrigerator inside a Monrovia garage. -
The bear seen grabbing a pack of Oreo cookies from the driveway of a Monrovia home as neighbors looked on. -
The bear seen walking away with a pack of Oreo cookies from the driveway of a Monrovia home as neighbors looked on. -
A window screen damaged by “Oreo” the bear while it was searching for food in Monrovia. -
The bear approaches a man before grabbing a pack of Oreo cookies spotted on the driveway. -
The bear seen grabbing a pack of Oreo cookies from the driveway of a Monrovia home as neighbors looked on.
“We are very used to them,” said Vina Khoury, a resident. “We’ve never heard of a bear attack here before but still, when they’re too close or when it’s a mama bear with her little ones, you don’t want to be too close to them or scare them because you don’t know when they’re going to charge at you.”
The foothill community coexists with plenty of wildlife. Visitors can spot warning signs posted around the community noting the area is prone to bear sightings.
Despite being on alert, some bears are still able to outsmart security measures in their search for food.
On Saturday, the same bear was seen leaving a home holding a bag of Oreo cookies. It appeared to be unfazed as neighbors went out to watch the bear walking down the street.
“That’s why we named him Oreo,” Khoury said. “He’s not just roaming around. He’s actually going into the houses. So now, it’s a very scary thing to leave a window open or your backyard door open or anything.”
“A couple of months after we moved in, my dog came nose-to-nose with a bear at about 8 o’clock at night,” said Meg Linton, a resident. “That was very electrifying. I had a lot of adrenaline in that moment.”
Some residents, however, are not too concerned about the bear, accepting that they share the space with wildlife.
“The [bears] come by every Monday,” said neighbor Richard Mosteller. “They just walk by and beat up the trash cans, look for food and they’re pretty harmless.”
Several residents said they’re considering contacting wildlife experts to discuss whether the bear nicknamed “Oreo” should be relocated.
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
A hospital needs help identifying a male patient who was found injured and unconscious in downtown Los Angeles.
The man is believed to be in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
He was found injured on the ground on Omar Street and has been hospitalized since June 22.
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He has brown eyes, dark brown hair and tattoos across his upper body.
He did not have any personal belongings to help staff identify him or contact loved ones. Workers did not disclose the nature of his injuries.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call clinical social worker Cesar Robles at 323-409-6885.
The public can also call the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253 or, after hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., call 323-409-6883. On weekends, call 323-409-5254.
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