Stolen stuffed bear returned to W.Pa. bar

UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A stuffed bear has been returned to the southwestern Pennsylvania bar from which it was stolen, and now police must determine how much damage was caused to the $10,000 specimen and who will pay for it — criminally or monetarily.

Uniontown police say they located the bear stolen early Sunday and returned it to the Eagle’s Nest bar today.

Bar owner John El-Ayazra says the group of men who took it have called to apologize. Police have yet to file charges, but say they’re discussing the case with eight young men involved in the theft. El-Ayazra says he just wants any damage to the bear fixed.

A friend of the bar’s owner shot the 8-foot bear in Russia 10 years ago and had it mounted and shipped to the bar, where patrons pose for pictures with it.