3 black bears run wild in Tahoe shopping mall

Some black bears got an early start on their Black Friday shopping in Tahoe this week.

A Placer County sheriff's deputy spotted three bears running wild at the Lighthouse Center, an outdoor mall in Tahoe City, on Monday night.

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The bears were hanging out in front of Taco Bell at the deserted shopping center – one appeared to be fussing with a bear-proof trash can – before the patrolling deputy spotted the trio and sent them running.

In this Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, photo a California black bear roams in Three Rivers, Calif. In this Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, photo a California black bear roams in Three Rivers, Calif. Photo: Brian Melley / Associated Press Photo: Brian Melley / Associated Press Image 1 of / 63 Caption Close 3 black bears run wild in Tahoe shopping mall 1 / 63 Back to Gallery

"What are you guys doing?" the deputy asks in the above video, before adding, "Fleeing felons."

The deputy eventually called a local animal control officer for backup. The three bears were rescued safely before being returned to the wild.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.