One-seater car, two robbers, and a hungry bear. One of these two crooks clearly hasn’t thought things through, but judging by the looks of them it’s hard to say which one.

This bear holds so many fond recollections for me as the forest police sets were some of the earliest I and my (now 11-yo) son built when he was 4 and 5. We played well with this one and the police station. I think we even had some early reader City books that had stories about these sets and figures. Horrible writing but good memories.

This set is awesome. I've always liked the "robber hideout sets" because of how unique and scarce they are. but it seems Lego would rather make ANOTHER police station.

Given that their escape vehicle looks like a coffin with wheels, I think the robbers should've put a bit more thought into their hide-out, because stashing their loot next to a bear cave was probably not a great plan.

Forest Police was a very nice subtheme for the usually dull Police line. One of the first subthemes that really injected new life into LEGO City, which stagnated badly in the early 00s.

I’d still love to see a proper “National Park” City subtheme. Sets could include rescue vehicles, visitor center and cabins, RVs and other recreational vehicles, and new animals like moose and beavers.

@WemWem said:
"Forest Police was a very nice subtheme for the usually dull Police line. One of the first subthemes that really injected new life into LEGO City, which stagnated badly in the early 00s.

I’d still love to see a proper “National Park” City subtheme. Sets could include rescue vehicles, visitor center and cabins, RVs and other recreational vehicles, and new animals like moose and beavers."

And Bison bison! I’ll only agree to this if I can get fluffy cows for idiot minifigs to try to pet. Like the NPS poster:

https://snowbrains.com/fluffy-cows-dont-pet-nps-advice/

@Rabrickzel said:
" @PurpleDave said:
"One-seater car, two robbers, and a hungry bear. One of these two crooks clearly hasn’t thought things through, but judging by the looks of them it’s hard to say which one."

It's every person for themselves. like saying goes there's no honor among thieves.

Funny how this set comes today since yesterday minifig was another criminal."

“I don’t have to outrun the bear-I just have to outrun you.”

I was thinking the same thing. Moreover, this further emphasizes the problem of Lego City criminals always wearing prison stripes. Anyone who finds this hideout is gonna know what’s up right away. Even wearing all black would be less conspicuous.

The bear was everything and made such a difference for these forest police sets. I also loved the more pronounced nature elements in an otherwise super dull concrete jungle of police decades.

I have to know; whose side is the bear on? The crooks deviously trained him up as muscle or am I disrespecting Officer Bruno of the Lego City forest police?

@Brickalili said:
"I have to know; whose side is the bear on? The crooks deviously trained him up as muscle or am I disrespecting Officer Bruno of the Lego City forest police? "

Bear is only on bear’s side. And bear is _hungry_!

Look at the story being conveyed here.
These guys just escaped from prison, grabbed a few bits of clothing to try to hide that fact, they robbed some kind of high end bank because gold bars aren't just lying about, and then made it all the way back out into the forest where they had a car ready and waiting to go. Even though the police have spotted them, we're not giving these guys enough credit because they're clearly escape artists and masters of disguise to make it this far without the whole police force chasing them down.
Could it be that this bear has slowed them down? Is the bear the real hero here? The police have heard screams from a possible bear attack, and it just so happened to be these guys who would have gotten away with their crimes? But then there's still a high speed chase that can ensue. What a narrative...

Anyone can explain me, why this set has only 3,7 ratings?
I get it, that it's not display set, but for reasonable price we have big animal, vehicles, minifigs and house (not wall, like usually in City sets). Good opportunity for kids to create cool stories here. Perfect small set for kids imho.