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.
Ms. Martin says it’s only a matter of time before the masked bandit strikes the shopping centre again.
This is not the first time he's been in one of the buildings, she told the county government's official podcast. He was in the karate studio. I think he got into the DMV [and] ate some of their snacks one time, she said.
The county has been selling shirts with the logo trashed panda and has raised a whopping $207,000 as of Friday. The money will help renovate animal shelters. The story has gone viral, resonating with those who've overindulged.
Ms. Martin concluded, I hope he learned his lesson, but there's a good chance we might see him back again. He's not a dummy.
