Staff at a Virginia liquor store were shocked Saturday when they arrived at work to discover that a raccoon had robbed the store and drank its way into the spirits section.
The “masked bandit” was found passed out in the bathroom, between the toilet and the trash can, after having grabbed bottles on a lower shelf.
Animal Control Officer Samantha Martin transported the “suspect” for questioning at the Hanover County Animal Shelter and Protection, but not before he had a chance to sober up.
After a few hours of sleep and no signs of injury (other than perhaps a hangover), the animal was released safely back into the wild.
The Ashland ABC store had been closed for Thanksgiving when it suffered the “Black Friday robbery.”
When staff arrived on Saturday, they found broken bottles and liquor piled up on the floor, including his apparent drink of choice, Scotch whiskey.
Officer Martin said the animal had fallen through one of the roof tiles before “going on a full-blown rampage, drinking everything.”
Only a blurry CCTV image of the drunken robbery exists, so it is unknown how much alcohol the thirsty creature consumed before passing out in the bathroom.
In a social media post, the store thanked the Hanover County Animal Shelter and Protection for its professionalism and for giving its visitors a “sober ride home.”
Officer Martin said it was “just another day in the life of an animal control officer.”
