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.
A new study found the masked mammals known for rummaging rubbish bins for easy food are evolving and getting comfortable around humans.
Ms. Martin says it’s only a matter of time before the masked bandit strikes the shopping center 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, on Thursday.
Officials say the little Kung Fu trash panda was living his best life when he was detained in the liquor store. While in the county kennel, he kept his spirits high, reportedly enjoying some time in the sun. He didn't do anything wrong. He was just having a good time, said Ms. Martin.
The county has been selling shirts with the logo trashed panda and has raised a whopping $207,000 (£155,000) as of Friday to fund shelter renovations and improvements.
With his previous escapades making headlines, officials believe that this charismatic raccoon will soon return to mischief. He'll be back. He's not a dummy, Ms. Martin quipped, reflecting on the relatability of the raccoon's antics. Everybody's had a few extra and passed out by the toilet, and hopes somebody can come get you the next morning.
