Staff at a Virginia liquor store arrived to a scene of devastation early on Saturday, with smashed bottles and spilled alcohol across the floor, initially pointing to a human burglar. The true perpetrator, however, was a four-legged, masked bandit who had indulged in a night of heavy drinking.
A Trail of Destruction and Spilled Spirits
The incident occurred at a store in the Ashland area. The intruder had caused significant disarray, even knocking down a ceiling tile during its chaotic entry. Pools of alcohol covered the floor, and evidence pointed to a targeted attack on the lower shelves, which housed scotch and whisky bottles.
It was only upon further investigation that the store employees discovered the culprit was not a person, but a raccoon. The animal was found in a deep, booze-induced slumber on the bathroom floor, having clearly partaken in the spoils of its rampage.
Animal Control Officer to the Rescue
Samantha Martin, an officer with Hanover County Animal Protection, was called to the scene. She recounted the event with a mix of professionalism and amusement. "I personally like raccoons. They are funny little critters," Martin said. "He fell through one of the ceiling tiles and went on a full-blown rampage, drinking everything."
Martin transported the inebriated raccoon to the local animal shelter, admitting she had a few giggles during the process. "Another day in the life of an animal control officer, I guess," she remarked.
Sober Release After a Wild Night
The Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter later provided an update on the raccoon's condition. After sleeping off its hangover at the shelter, the animal showed no signs of injury. The agency confirmed it had sobered up and was deemed fit for release.
In a witty statement, the shelter said, "After a few hours of sleep and zero signs of injury (other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices), he was safely released back to the wild, hopefully having learned that breaking and entering is not the answer." The unusual break-in, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, 2 December 2025, concluded with the raccoon's return to its natural habitat, presumably with a newfound caution around hard liquor.
