Bear on the loose in LA suburb

Escaping the heat in a local pool

A California black bear has caused chaos in a Los Angeles suburb, running amok through neighbourhood yards and taking a brief dip in a local resident's swimming pool.

Officials chased the bear across the suburb of Bradbury, sealing off areas and warning people to stay indoors.

Residents were advised to remain indoors

The chase went on for several hours - while television cameras overhead captured images of the bear taking a swim in Chris Wu's pool, officials were looking for the animal a block away.

Wardens were prepared to shoot the bear with a tranquilliser dart, but managed to force him back into the San Gabriel Mountains.

Resident Gary Potter said the same bear had been seen in the area before.

"We know this bear. Yeah, he's been pretty precocious. He's been in a few people's kitchens looking for dog food and a couple of cars."

Lieutenant Debra Lenhart said bears often came down from the mountains, adding that they "like to cool off in the pools."