An investigation is underway regarding a peculiar break-in at a state-operated liquor store in Virginia. The incident involved a drunken raccoon crashing through the ceiling, causing chaos by ransacking the store and eventually passing out in the bathroom.
The scene was discovered by employees on a Friday evening, with the store littered with broken glass and spilled alcohol. Initially mistaken for a routine burglary, the situation took an unexpected turn when the culprit, an intoxicated raccoon, was found the next morning by authorities.
The raccoon, described as “very intoxicated” by Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter, was located slumped between a toilet and a bin. The animal control officer safely secured the raccoon and took it back to the shelter for recovery before questioning. After a brief period of rest, the raccoon, showing no signs of injury apart from a possible hangover, was released back into the wild.
The furry intruder gained access by breaking through a ceiling tile, disabling the store’s CCTV system in the process, leaving investigators without footage to determine if the incident was intentional. Staff reported an aisle soaked in alcohol and littered with glass shards after the raccoon tore through the stock, displaying a preference for hard liquor over wine.
While the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has not commented on the event, similar encounters involving wildlife are on the rise in the United States. Raccoons, known for their curiosity and climbing skills, frequently intrude into various human spaces due to urban food waste and habitat loss.
In the wild, raccoons have been observed consuming fermented fruit, exhibiting behavior that resembles drunkenness. This behavior has led to instances of inebriated raccoons entering human environments, sometimes causing significant damage.
Interestingly, this incident is not the first time a liquor store has been targeted by raccoons. Past occurrences include a raccoon crashing through a store’s roof in Tennessee and another raccoon causing chaos in a beer distribution warehouse in Brooklyn.
Authorities in Virginia have prohibited the raccoon from returning to the store, but they expressed gratitude that only bottles were damaged. Officer Martin was commended for providing the raccoon with a safe journey home after its unexpected escapade.