'Very Intoxicated' Raccoon Ransacks VA Store In Liquor-Fueled Rampage

ASHLAND, VA — Authorities responding to a Black Friday break-in at a Hanover County, Virginia, liquor store were in for a surprise when they arrived at the scene and identified an unusual suspect — a "very intoxicated" raccoon.

On Saturday morning, Hanover County authorities said police were called to the Ashland ABC Store, where someone — or, in this case, something — had broken in and ransacked several shelves, leaving behind broken liquor bottles and puddles of booze.

After investigating, police found the four-legged suspect passed out in the bathroom.

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According to the organization's post on social media, the masked bandit was safely secured and taken to the Hanover County Animal Shelter, where he could "sober up before questioning."

The shelter's post quickly gained traction on social media.

"This raccoon heard 'drunk as a skunk' and said 'hold my beer,'" one person said.

Others offered their theories on what had caused the raccoon's overnight bender.

"I heard Mr. Raccoon just got a divorce recently, so I completely understand," one person wrote.

"Are we sure it was a he?? Sounds like a momma who has had enough," another said.

Some commenters commended the raccoon on having the wherewithal to at least make it to the bathroom.

"He ended up where we all end up when we drink too much!" one person quipped.

"At least he made it to the bathroom … some of us humans can’t even do that!" another said.

In the end, officials said the raccoon was not injured during his rampage — other than a possible hangover — and also offered him some parting advice.

"He was safely released back to the wild, hopefully having learned that breaking and entering is not the answer," shelter officials wrote.