Employees at a Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) store were met with an unusual scene Saturday morning: a raccoon had seemingly broken into the establishment and sampled the store’s selections.
The “masked bandit” was discovered incapacitated in the restroom, nestled between the toilet and a trash bin, after apparently helping itself to bottles from a lower shelf.
Animal control officer Samantha Martin took custody of the “suspect,” transporting it to the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter for evaluation after it had a chance to regain consciousness.
Following a period of rest and showing no signs of significant injury beyond a possible hangover, the animal was safely released back into its natural habitat.
The Ashland ABC store, which had been closed for Thanksgiving, experienced its “Black Friday break-in” overnight.
Upon arrival, staff found shattered bottles and spilled liquor, with scotch appearing to be the culprit’s preferred beverage.
Officer Martin indicated that the raccoon likely gained entry by falling through a ceiling tile before embarking on “a full-blown rampage, drinking everything in sight.”
Limited to a single blurry CCTV image of the incident, the precise amount of alcohol consumed by the creature before its bathroom slumber remains unknown.
In a social media statement, the store expressed gratitude to the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter for their professionalism in providing the unexpected visitor with a “sober ride home.”
Officer Martin described the incident as “just another day in the life of an animal control officer.”