LARKSPUR, Colo. — A bear broke into a basement window Thursday morning and ate out of the family’s kitchen cabinets. Paul McCully and his family were sleeping when they heard what they thought was a burglar in the house.

“He was probably here for a good 15 or 20 minutes,” McCully said. “It sounded like he was just throwing plates.”

The bear was rummaging for food. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said bear sightings are more common this time of year as the big animals prepare to hibernate for the winter. They normally break into trash cans and cars, not basements.

The bear most likely pulled the screen off a low window and crawled in. It went straight for the kitchen cabinets to snack on crackers and granola. Teeth marks could be seen on packaging along with muddy paw prints and a shattered window.

“We never saw the bear, but he left some remnants behind for us,” McCully said.

The family said they have seen other bears on the property.

“The ones we’ve seen I’d say they’re probably a good 3 1/2 feet tall. They’re big enough to scare you,” McCully said.

While he said he does take all the precautions to keep bears at bay, McCully said he cannot blame the bear for wanting to come inside.

“I feel guilty because we have this welcome bear sign up right by the door too. So I feel guilty we welcomed him in,” McCully joked.