A Raccoon Broke Into a Virginia Liquor Store, Drank Everything in Sight and Passed Out on the Bathroom Floor
A raccoon with seemingly no regard for the law made headlines across the country after staging what authorities colorfully described as a “liquor-fueled rampage” at a state-run liquor store in Ashland, Virginia. The incident unfolded over the Black Friday weekend, when the crafty critter slipped into the Ashland ABC Store after hours by crashing through one of the ceiling tiles. By the time anyone realized what had happened, the damage was done and the culprit was already deep in his cups. It was the kind of story that sounded almost too absurd to be real, yet every detail checked out.
The Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter described the uninvited guest as a “very intoxicated raccoon” and labeled the incident a “Black Friday Break-In” in a Facebook post that quickly went viral. The animal fell through one of the ceiling tiles onto the store floor, then proceeded to knock bottles of scotch and whiskey off the shelves, shattering them and leaving puddles of alcohol across the aisles. Surveillance footage later released to the public showed the raccoon stumbling through the store, wobbling between broken glass and spilled spirits in a scene that was equal parts chaotic and hilarious. The masked intruder clearly had eclectic tastes, helping himself to whatever was within reach.
By the following morning, when a store manager arrived, the so-called “Black Friday Bandit” was found passed out on the floor, having damaged 14 bottles of spirits worth around $250. Authorities found the raccoon collapsed in the bathroom, where he had apparently retreated after his chaotic tour of the shelves. Photos shared by the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter showed broken glass and puddles of liquor throughout the store, as well as the raccoon sprawled on the bathroom tile near the toilet, thoroughly unconscious. For a creature that usually raids trash cans, this was quite the upgrade.
Animal control officer Samantha Martin was dispatched to handle the situation and, by her own account, found the whole thing rather entertaining. “I personally like raccoons,” Martin told the Associated Press. “They are funny little critters. He fell through one of the ceiling tiles and went on a full-blown rampage, drinking everything.” She transported the raccoon back to the shelter, where he was given time to sleep it off before being assessed for injuries. Martin summed up the whole experience with characteristic composure: “Another day in the life of an animal control officer, I guess.”
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority Communications Specialist Billy Fellin confirmed that the raccoon had triggered a power outage alert from the security company when he entered through the ceiling, which is how staff were alerted to the break-in. The store was cleaned up and reopened without further incident, and no other damage beyond the broken bottles was found. Jeffrey S. Parker from Hanover Animal Protection noted that while officers deal with raccoons regularly, “this is kind of a first for one to be in a store in this context.” The Ashland ABC Store later paid tribute to their uninvited patron by naming cocktails after him, turning an odd weekend mishap into a minor local legend.
The Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter confirmed the raccoon suffered no injuries aside from “maybe a hangover and poor life choices,” and he was eventually released back into the wild. The agency also launched a fundraising campaign inspired by the incident, with “Ashland Drunk Raccoon” merchandise available to support the shelter. Social media had a field day with the story, with one commenter quipping, “Somebody get this raccoon a sponsor because CLEARLY he’s living too fast,” while another wrote, “He is just trying to get into the holiday spirit too lol.” Whether or not the raccoon learned his lesson, the internet was thoroughly charmed.
Raccoons have a rather sophisticated sense of touch, with front paws so sensitive that they actually become more tactile when wet, which is why they are often seen “washing” their food near water. The word raccoon comes from the Powhatan word “aroughcun,” meaning “animal that scratches with its hands,” which feels especially fitting given this particular specimen’s apparent talent for clearing shelves. Alcohol, even in small amounts, is genuinely toxic to raccoons and can affect their nervous system, yet somehow this little guy walked away from his bender with nothing more than a rough morning.
What do you think about the raccoon’s Black Friday adventure? Share your thoughts in the comments.
