An unusual break-in at a state-run liquor store in Ashland, Virginia, has left authorities investigating a furry, four-legged suspect. The incident, which unfolded on Friday evening, saw a raccoon crash through the ceiling, ransack the premises, and ultimately pass out in a bathroom, leaving a trail of destruction and the pungent smell of spirits in its wake.
The Scene of the Crime
Staff at the ABC liquor store arrived to find a scene of chaos. The shop floor was strewn with broken glass and spilled alcohol, with one aisle reportedly "soaked" in liquor. Initial indications pointed towards a standard burglary, prompting a police investigation. However, the truth proved far more peculiar. The following morning, officers located the culprit: a raccoon, described as "very intoxicated" by the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter, was found slumped between a toilet and a bin.
The Capture and Sobering Aftermath
An animal control officer responded to the scene and "safely secured our masked bandit," as the shelter later quipped on social media. The raccoon was transported back to the shelter to sober up. In their statement, officials noted that after a few hours of sleep and showing no signs of injury—"other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices"—the animal was safely released back into the wild. The shelter expressed a hope that the raccoon had learned "that breaking and entering is not the answer."
The store publicly thanked Officer Martin for "providing our visitor with a sober ride home." While the store has now barred the offender from returning, staff were reportedly relieved that the only casualties were numerous bottles of booze. The raccoon's method of entry was dramatic; it burst through a ceiling tile, an action that also took down the store's CCTV system. This deprived investigators of footage that might have revealed whether the animal deliberately targeted the hard liquor, which it seemed to favour over wine.
A Growing Trend of Wildlife Encounters
This incident is not an isolated case. Raccoons, known for their nimble fingers, climbing agility, and curious nature, are increasingly finding their way into human spaces. Experts attribute this to a combination of urban food waste and dwindling natural habitats, which drives the nocturnal animals into closer contact with towns and cities.
There is a history of similar encounters across the United States:
- In 2016, a raccoon in Bristol, Tennessee, crashed through the roof of a liquor store, sending shelves of bourbon crashing to the floor.
- A disoriented raccoon was once filmed weaving through crates at a beer distribution warehouse in Brooklyn after consuming alcohol on site.
- In a more extreme case in Springfield Township, Ohio, police conducting a traffic stop in May found a raccoon named "Chewy" sitting in the driver's seat with a meth pipe in its mouth.
In the wild, raccoons have been observed consuming fermented fruit, leading to behaviour that resembles drunkenness. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has not yet commented on the latest Ashland break-in, which serves as a vivid reminder of the unexpected challenges that can arise when wildlife and human commerce collide.
