Woman shocked to find black bear inside car, eating her lunch

RABUN COUNTY, Ga. — A Rabun County woman thought a big black cat had climbed into her minivan.

A closer look revealed it was a big black bear.

Carrie Watts showed Channel 2 Action News the scratches all over the side of the vehicle on Wednesday

"I panicked. I started screaming. I didn't know who to call, didn't know how to get it out,” Watts said.

The bear had climbed through the open windows.

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"He was eating my lunch and destroying stuff,” Watts said.

"What did you have for lunch?" Channel 2's Berndt Petersen asked.

"A sandwich, some chips and a cookie,” Watts said.

All gone.

Besides stealing her meal, the bear tore up one of her kid’s car seats and destroyed a pile of paperwork.

Watts said the bear appeared to be in no hurry to move on. He loitered for a good half an hour before crawling out, and then up a tree.

Watts said she has seen her share of bears around these parts, but never like this.

Her habit of leaving the van windows down on a hot day is over.

"If you're on Lake Burton, don't leave your windows down. Especially if there's any kind of food or crumbs in the car,” Watts said.

Cox Media Group