Staff at a Virginia liquor store were met with an unexpected scene of destruction on Saturday morning, with smashed bottles and spilled alcohol across the floor, initially pointing to a human break-in. The real culprit, however, was a four-legged, masked bandit with a taste for fine spirits.
A Nocturnal Spree of Destruction
Early on Saturday 30 November 2025, the Ashland-area premises became the unlikely venue for an animal escapade. The intruder, later identified as a raccoon, had entered the store, causing a ceiling tile to collapse and targeting the bottom shelf, which housed scotch and whisky. The rampage left a trail of broken glass and pooled alcohol, creating significant disarray.
The Culprit is Caught Red-Pawed
The mystery was solved when the animal was discovered passed out on the bathroom floor, evidently suffering the effects of its boozy binge. Samantha Martin, an officer with local animal control, was called to the scene. "I personally like raccoons. They are funny little critters," Martin remarked. "He fell through one of the ceiling tiles and went on a full-blown rampage, drinking everything."
Martin transported the inebriated 'trash panda' to the animal shelter, admitting she had her fair share of giggles during the unusual rescue. "Another day in the life of an animal control officer, I guess," she said.
Sobering Up and a Second Chance
The Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter commended Martin for her handling of the peculiar break-in. The agency provided an update on the raccoon's condition, confirming it had sobered up after its adventure. "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," the shelter stated.
They added a hopeful note for the raccoon's future conduct: "Hopefully having learned that breaking and entering is not the answer." The incident serves as a humorous reminder of the unpredictable challenges faced by animal welfare officers and the adventurous spirit of local wildlife.