Drunk raccoon found in liquor store suspected in karate studio break-in

A raccoon that broke into a Virginia store and happily drank in the liquor aisle is now suspected in a larger crime wave, authorities say.

A Hanover animal control officer suspects the striped-tailed mammal also broke into a nearby karate studio, then raided the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for snacks.

“It appears this is the third break-in he’s had,” Officer Samantha Martin said.

The raccoon, now nicknamed the “trash panda,” was first discovered passed out in the restroom of the Ashland liquor store two days after Thanksgiving. After sobering up, the unlikely outlaw was released back into the wild.

A new study has found that masked mammals known for scavenging trash for easy food are evolving to become comfortable around humans.

Ms Martin says it’s only a matter of time before the masked bandit attacks the mall again.

“It’s not the first time he’s been in one of the buildings,” she told the county government’s official podcast, Hear in Hanover, on Thursday.

“He was in the karate studio. I think he walked into the DMV [and] ate some of their snacks once,” she said.

She then added that it was possible the previous break-ins were carried out by another raccoon – but authorities identified him as their main suspect.

Raccoons are known for getting into people’s trash cans, earning them the nickname “trash panda.”

The county sold shirts with the “trash panda” logo and raised a whopping $207,000 (£155,000) on Friday. The money will be used to renovate the shelter and increase its capacity, Ms. Martin said.

Authorities say Kung Fu’s little trash panda was living his best life while he was kept at the liquor store and was keeping his spirits up even after being placed in the county kennel.

“I just put it in there, [and] let him relax for a few hours. The sun was beating down on him so he felt good,” Ms Martin said, adding that he was released about a mile from the shopping complex. “He didn’t do anything wrong. He was just having a good time. »

The story went viral, which Ms Martin said was because it was very “relatable”.

“Everyone has been there,” she says. “Everyone drank a few more and passed out by the toilet, and hoped someone could pick you up in the morning.”

“I hope he learned his lesson,” she said, before adding that there is a good chance he will soon be found committing another robbery.

“He’ll come back. He’s not an idiot.”