Intoxicated Raccoon Breaks Through Ceiling of Virginia Liquor Store, Drinks Alcohol, and Passes Out in Bathroom
ASHLAND, VA — In one of the more unusual post–Black Friday incidents, a raccoon broke into a liquor store in Ashland, Virginia, reportedly drank spilled alcohol, and was later found passed out in the store’s bathroom. The incident, which left the store damaged and staff stunned, ended with animal control safely rescuing the intoxicated creature — who has since been nicknamed “Cole.”
Raccoon Crashes Through Ceiling and Drinks from Broken Bottles
According to store employees, the raccoon made its dramatic entrance by crashing through the store’s ceiling late Friday night. Surveillance footage and eyewitness reports indicate the animal then smashed several bottles of liquor on the lower shelves before sampling the contents.
By the time employees discovered the aftermath, the store floor was littered with broken glass and spilled alcohol. They followed the trail of chaos to the back of the building, where they found “Cole” lying motionless on the bathroom floor, apparently inebriated and unresponsive.
“He looked like he had one too many,” one employee joked, describing the raccoon as “completely out cold next to the toilet.”
Animal Control Officers Called to Scene
Local animal-control officers responded to the call and found the raccoon “intoxicated but unharmed.” Authorities carefully removed the animal and transported him to a nearby wildlife shelter for observation. After being monitored overnight, “Cole” was found to be in good health and later released safely back into the wild.
A spokesperson for the shelter confirmed that the raccoon likely ingested alcohol while licking from the broken bottles scattered across the floor. “He seemed fine after a few hours of rest — maybe just nursing a hangover,” the spokesperson said humorously.
Authorities Confirm No Lasting Harm
Officials say the raccoon was lucky to escape without serious injuries, noting that the incident could have ended much worse given the broken glass and spilled liquor.
“Cole was unharmed, aside from appearing a little sluggish the next morning,” one rescuer said. “We let him sleep it off before returning him to his natural habitat.”
While the animal’s condition improved quickly, the liquor store was left to clean up extensive mess and damage caused during the break-in.
Store and Shelter Respond with Humor
The shelter and store staff took a lighthearted approach to the bizarre event. Employees quipped that the raccoon’s taste for alcohol might make him the “party animal of Ashland,” while the shelter staff joked on social media that “Cole has hopefully learned that breaking and entering isn’t worth the hangover.”
Despite the humor, store employees acknowledged the disruption caused by the raccoon’s late-night escapade, which required cleanup crews to clear glass, spilled whiskey, and toppled inventory the next morning.
Community Reaction
News of the incident quickly spread online, with residents amused by the raccoon’s antics. Photos of the overturned shelves and the raccoon “sleeping it off” in the bathroom went viral, sparking a wave of puns and jokes about Virginia’s newest “liquor bandit.”
One commenter wrote, “That raccoon really said, ‘I’ll take the top shelf, please,’” while another added, “We’ve all been there, Cole.”
Authorities confirmed there are no plans to remove wildlife in the area, but they encouraged businesses to inspect their ceilings and roof spaces to prevent future intrusions.
The incident serves as a humorous — if messy — reminder of the unexpected surprises that can happen during the holiday season.
For more unusual local stories and wildlife reports, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
