SIMSBURY, Conn. (AP) - A bear known for breaking into Connecticut homes broke into one too many.

State Environmental Conservation Police said Monday they euthanized a black bear that had entered a home in Simsbury on Saturday.

Authorities say the bear's ear tag identified it as the same one that had broken into several homes last year.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection tells the Hartford Courant there were 24 reports of bears entering homes or businesses in 2018, well above the average of six per year.

There was also a more than 30% increase in the number of bear sightings last year and a record 63 bears hit by vehicles.

Officials estimate that Connecticut is home to more than 800 bears.

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