After trapping bear with doughnuts, South Whitehall police get free Dunkin’

America runs on Dunkin’, and so do bears, apparently.

South Whitehall Township police recently used the treats as a novel bait to lure a wayward bear last month. On National Doughnut Day on Friday, Dunkin’ returned the favor, delivering doughnuts and coffee to the department as their reward.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission, working with South Whitehall police, captured the bear May 19 at 4238 W. Walnut St. in the township, near the Lehigh County Sports Fields.

“Dunkin’ of Philadelphia loved how doughnuts were the bear’s bait of choice for the capture and delivered doughnuts and coffee to the police department for them to enjoy the doughnuts as much as the bear did!” Dunkin’ spokesperson Carly Hutter said in a statement Friday.

South Whitehall police Sgt. Joel Wischner said Friday that after several sightings of the bear, he went out May 18 with game wardens David Furmato and Jacob Wieder to set up a culvert trap near a wooded area, baited with about two or three dozen Dunkin’ doughnuts the wardens brought.

“They said they like to let the doughnuts ferment for a few days before they use them, so they were sticky and had a very sweet smell to them, I would say,” Wischner said.

The sergeant added that alongside the doughnuts and coffee on Friday, Dunkin’ gave the department several hundreds of dollars’ worth of gift cards, which he intends to share with the game wardens — “They’re the true heroes, I guess you could say, at this one.”

“That was a nice little surprise,” Wischner said of the delivery.

The Facebook page for the police department also posted, “What do bears and cops have in common? They both LOVE Dunkin’ donuts! A big thank you to Carly and the Philadelphia Dunkin’ team for surprising our department today on National Donut Day with donuts and coffee. The thoughtful gesture was in recognition of our Dunkin’ lovin’ SWT bear that was safely captured back in May. We’re incredibly grateful for the expertise, assistance, and partnership of the PA Game Commission in ensuring the safe capture of our township bear.”