In brief
In Virginia, a raccoon nicknamed the 'trashed panda' has gained fame after breaking into a liquor store to drink, leading to its suspected involvement in several other break-ins around the area. Following a binge that left it passed out in the store, the raccoon was reclaimed by animal control and released back into the wild. With a history of mischief and a growing reputation, officials speculate it may strike again, raising awareness and a bit of laughter in the community.
A raccoon that broke into a Virginia store and joyfully drank its way through the liquor aisle is now suspected of a wider crime spree, officials say.
A Hanover animal control officer suspects the stripe-tailed mammal also broke into a nearby karate studio and then raided the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for snacks.
Supposedly, this is the third break-in he's had, said Officer Samantha Martin.
The raccoon, now nicknamed the trashed panda, was first discovered passed out in the bathroom of the Ashland liquor store two days after Thanksgiving. After sobering up, the unlikely outlaw was released back into the wild.
An officer confirmed that it was the same raccoon connected to multiple incidents: This is not the first time he's been in one of the buildings, Martin mentioned during a podcast, adding that it had snacked at the DMV before.
The county has even capitalized on the raccoon's antics by selling shirts emblazoned with the phrase trashed panda, raising over $207,000 for shelter renovations.
Martin shared a light-hearted perspective on the raccoon's escapades, asserting that everyone can relate to those moments of overindulgence. She added with a chuckle, He'll be back. He's not a dummy.\
