Staff at a Virginia liquor store experienced an unexpected surprise this past Saturday when they discovered a raccoon had broken in and indulged in a drinking spree through the spirits section. The curious creature, dubbed the “masked bandit,” was found in an unusual state, having passed out in the bathroom between the toilet and the waste bin after sampling several bottles from a bottom shelf.
Morning after chaos
Animal control officer Samantha Martin was called to the scene and transported the raccoon, the prime suspect in the incident, to Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter for further evaluation. Fortunately, the raccoon had a chance to recover before its transport, allowing it to sleep off what can only be described as a wild night of revelry.
After several hours of rest, the animal showed no signs of injury—aside from perhaps a formidable hangover—and was ultimately released back into the wild. The Ashland ABC store had been closed for Thanksgiving, making it an opportune moment for the raccoon to stage its “Black Friday break-in.”
Damage and aftermath
On Saturday morning, the staff found a scene of disarray, with shattered bottles and liquor pooling on the floor, including evidence of the raccoon’s apparent favorite: scotch. Officer Martin explained that the animal had fallen through one of the ceiling tiles before embarking on a “full-blown rampage, drinking everything” in its path. A single blurry CCTV image captured the chaotic event, but it remains unclear just how much alcohol the adventurous raccoon consumed before succumbing to exhaustion in the bathroom.
“Just another day in the life of an animal control officer,” remarked Officer Martin, reflecting on the unusual call.
In a light-hearted social media post, the store expressed gratitude towards the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter for their professional handling of the situation and for providing the raccoon with a “sober ride home.” It’s a memorable incident that highlights the unexpected interactions between wildlife and human establishments.