MONTROSE, Calif. >> A Southern California freeway was briefly shut down when a bear wandered into lanes before scrambling up an embankment and into a nearby neighborhood, where it was tranquilized.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Cynthia Gonzales says the bear was spotted Sunday morning on the 210 Freeway north of downtown LA. All lanes in both directions were closed as a crew from the state Department of Fish and Game was called.

Gonzales says wardens followed the bear as it ambled for less than a mile through a business district and residential streets of Montrose, a foothill community.

The animal was surrounded at an intersection and hit with tranquilizer darts.

Gonzales says the bear will be taken back up into Angeles National Forest.

Last month a bear was euthanized after being struck by a car on the same stretch of freeway.