CARIBOU – Several motorists on South Main Street got a scare Tuesday morning when a bear appeared in the darkness of the roadway.

It turned out that the bear was stuffed – and the three juveniles and two adults who were behind the caper have been charged with a misdemeanor crime.

Sgt. Ron Curtis of the Caribou Police Department said the department began receiving calls from motorists just after midnight Tuesday. The callers said a group had tied a teddy bear to a string and were hiding in nearby bushes, pulling the stuffed bear into the roadway.

The surprised motorists were forced to jam on their brakes. One driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, told police the evasive action caused him to hit the windshield of his vehicle. No one else reported any injuries.

Officer Jason Matheson and Officer Douglas Bell eventually tracked down the five believed responsible for the prank.

Three male juveniles, whose names were not released because of their ages, have been summoned on charges of reckless conduct, a misdemeanor.

Cody Rogers, 19, of Caribou also was summoned on the charge. The other adult, Tyler Burch, 18, of Caribou, was charged and taken into custody for violating conditions of release stemming from a previous charge, according to Curtis.

jlbdn@ainop.com

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