A RACCOON that broke into a Virginia store and got tucked into the booze supplies is now the main culprit in a wider crime spree.
It is now believed that the alcoholic animal 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 – humorously nicknamed the “trashed panda” – was first discovered in the bathroom of a liquor store two days after Thanksgiving.
The store owners first feared a burglar had broken but were relieved to discover the intruder was in fact a raccoon.
After sobering up, the boozy bandit was released back into the wild about one mile away from the scene of the crime.
However, Martin said it’s only a matter of time before the animal strikes again.
“This is not the first time he’s been in one of the buildings,” she told the county government’s official podcast, Hear in Hanover.
“He was in the karate studio. I think he got into the DMV [and] ate some of their snacks one time.
“Each time we’d get him out – we don’t relocate him – that’s a death sentence for raccoons but somehow he knows how to get back in this building.”
Martin later said it was possible that a different raccoon was responsible for the break-in, but the authorities are currently treating the mashed mammal as the main suspect.
As a species, raccoons are known for gorging on what humans leave throw away, leading to the nickname “trash panda”.
The county quickly sensed a business opportunity and have been selling shirts, mugs and stickers with branded with the logo “trashed panda”.
As of Friday, the total sales have raised $207,000.
All the proceeds will be used to fund improvements to the animal shelter.
Despite being incarcerated in the county kennel, officials said the raccoon was in surprisingly high spirits
“I just set him in there, [and] let him kinda relax for a few hours. The sun was beating on him so he was feeling good,” said Martin.
“He didn’t do anything wrong. He was just having a good time.”
After images of smashed bottles and the animal passed out next to a toilet circulated online, the incident quickly went viral.
The photos suggest the raccoon sampled various tipples, including Jameson whisky and scotch.
“Everybody’s been there,” said Martin.
“Everybody’s had a few extra and passed out by the toilet, and hopes somebody can come get you in next morning.”
Martin believes, however, that this won’t be the last time the public sees him.
“He’ll be back,” Martin said.
“He’s not a dummy.”