A cable repairman walked into a New Jersey home Wednesday and encountered a sleeping bear in the basement.

The repairman entered the home in Hopatcong, N.J., to perform scheduled repairs when he found the bear, police said.

The bear, which had been spotted wandering in the neighborhood earlier in the afternoon, escaped the home before authorities arrvied.

More from NBCNewYork.com

But New Jersey Fish and Game officials were able to locate the bear later and tranquilize it. It took some time for the large bear to go down, according to police: it walked a few blocks over to a nearby trail and eventually fell asleep.

No injuries were reported.

More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:

• 'Dismal': 1 in 2 Americans are now poor or low income
• Death sentences, executions take 'historic drop'
• School on defensive after telling parents their son is gay
• Casket photo sparks Air Force investigation, outrage
• Author Michael Peterson wins new trial in bizarre murder case