Towamencin Township Police have received several reports of possible bear sightings in the Allentown Road area between Derstine Road and Keeler Road on Tuesday, June 5 and Wednesday, June 6.

On June 6, a resident reported seeing what he believed to be a bear around 1 p.m. behind the Towamencin Village Shopping Center near Tennis-Lukens Cemetery, police said.

She described the animal as three times the size of a normal German shepherd, police said. The same woman told police that a neighbor also reported seeing a bear in the Derstine Road area on June 5, police said.

On June 8, at 9:15 a.m., a representative from Walton Farm Elementary School contacted police and told them a student reported a possible bear sighting along the fence line at the edge of the school property, police said. 

The student reportedly saw the bear on June 6 around lunchtime, police said.

Walton Farm is taking precautions for student safety, police said.

Towamencin Police notified the state Game Commission. 

Residents and visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings. If you see an animal resembling a bear, do not approach it. Get to safety and call Towamencin Police via 911 or at 215-368-7606.