If you needed proof that wildlife and mischief go hand in hand, a raccoon in Ashland, Virginia just handed it over. The animal broke into a state liquor store, helped itself to an impressive stash of spirits, and was later found passed out in the bathroom. The story quickly went viral, landing coverage from major outlets and spawning a memorable nickname: the “trashed panda.”

4 related posts

Location: Ashland, Virginia ABC store ·
Date of break-in: December 6, 2025 ·
Discovery: Passed out in bathroom ·
Nickname: Trashed panda ·
Suspected follow-up: Karate shop break-in

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact amount of alcohol consumed
  • Whether raccoon was responsible for karate shop break-in
  • Total damage cost to store
3Timeline signal
  • December 6: Break-in via ceiling, alarm triggered
  • December 6: Staff discovers raccoon passed out
  • December 5: Cardinal News publishes first coverage
4What’s next
  • Ongoing watch for suspected follow-up incidents
  • Virginia ABC continues promotional campaign
  • Shelter fundraiser T-shirts still available
Detail Fact
Location Ashland ABC Store, Hanover County, Virginia
Store type Virginia ABC state liquor store
Break-in date December 6, 2025
Entry point Through the ceiling
Bottles destroyed 14 smashed; 30–40 knocked over
Condition found Passed out on bathroom floor
Outcome Released to wild after sobering up
Nickname Trashed panda

Is the raccoon in the liquor store real?

Yes. The story has been reported by multiple outlets including CBS News, Cardinal News, and Nerdist. Photos and video from the scene confirm the raccoon was found in the store.

Eyewitness accounts from store staff

Store employees arriving for their shift discovered the aftermath: broken bottles, pooled alcohol on the floor, and the raccoon sprawled out next to a toilet between a garbage can. Carol Mawyer, the public relations manager for Virginia ABC, described the scene succinctly: “It wreaked havoc.”

Media coverage confirmation

The incident made headlines across national and international outlets. Local Virginia coverage from Cardinal News confirmed the sequence of events, while CBS News published detailed reporting including statements from the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter.

What happened at the Virginia liquor store?

The raccoon fell through the ceiling into the ABC store early Saturday morning, setting off the security alarm before police arrived. It then went to work on the bottom shelf, smashing bottles of scotch and whisky along with other spirits. A ceiling tile collapsed during the break-in, wiping out security camera footage of the actual entry.

Break-in method

According to Cardinal News, the raccoon entered by falling through the ceiling tiles directly above the store floor. The collapse not only destroyed part of the store’s infrastructure but also knocked out the security cameras, leaving no footage of the break-in itself.

Damage and drinks consumed

Cardinal News reported that 14 bottles were smashed, while WAVY cited estimates of 30 to 40 bottles knocked over. The raccoon reportedly consumed spirits including rum, moonshine, vodka, peanut butter whiskey, and eggnog.

The upshot

Virginia’s state-controlled ABC stores restrict liquor sales to government-operated locations, making this incident particularly unusual. The raccoon essentially broke into one of the few places in Virginia where such a stash could exist.

Did the drunk raccoon pass out?

Yes. An employee arriving for the morning shift discovered the raccoon passed out on the bathroom floor between a garbage can and a toilet. The animal appeared to have sleep off its considerable intake before anyone found it.

Discovery by staff

Store employees found the mess and the unconscious raccoon upon opening. The scene was chaotic: broken glass, spilled alcohol, and the animal sprawled in an undignified position. WAVY News captured video from the scene showing the aftermath.

Animal officer response

Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter responded to the call. Officer Martin transported the raccoon to the shelter to sober up in a safe environment. Local news coverage documented the transport and subsequent care.

Is the drunk raccoon ok?

After several hours at the shelter, the raccoon showed no signs of injury other than what officials described as a likely hangover. It was then safely released back to the wild.

Initial condition

CBS News reported that after a few hours of sleep at the shelter, the raccoon appeared healthy. The official statement from the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter noted “zero signs of injury (other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices).”

Latest health update

The raccoon was released back to the wild with no reported long-term harm. The shelter’s statement included a note of dark humor: “hopefully having learned that breaking and entering is not the answer.”

Virginia’s drunk raccoon suspected in karate shop break-in

Reports emerged suggesting the raccoon may have been involved in a break-in at a nearby karate shop days later. Authorities stopped short of confirming the connection, but the timing and pattern fueled speculation that the same animal was responsible.

Timeline of incidents

The liquor store break-in occurred on December 6, 2025. By December 12, reports surfaced of a suspected break-in at a karate shop in the same area. The six-day gap suggests the raccoon recovered quickly and may have returned to its mischievous ways.

Evidence linking the raccoon

No official confirmation links the two incidents, but locals have joked about the “trashed panda” graduation from liquor store to karate school. The nickname suggests the raccoon has become something of a local legend.

Why this matters

The raccoon’s viral fame translated into real fundraising for the shelter. “Trashed Panda” T-shirts sold as a fundraiser, while Virginia ABC launched its own promotional campaign featuring raccoon imagery. What began as a mess became a marketing moment.

Incident timeline

Date Event
December 6, 2025 (early morning) Raccoon falls through ceiling, triggers alarm, begins drinking
December 6, 2025 (morning) Employee discovers raccoon passed out in bathroom
December 6, 2025 (same day) Officer Martin transports raccoon to Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter
December 6, 2025 (afternoon) Raccoon sobers up, released back to wild
December 5, 2025 Cardinal News publishes first coverage of incident
December 12, 2025 Suspected karate shop break-in reported in same area

Confirmed vs. unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Break-in reported by multiple Tier 2 outlets including CBS News and Cardinal News
  • Raccoon entered via ceiling, passed out in bathroom
  • Location confirmed as Ashland, Virginia ABC store
  • 14 bottles smashed; 30–40 knocked over
  • Raccoon released back to wild after sobering up
  • Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter responded
  • Story went viral, inspiring merchandise and marketing

What’s unclear

  • Exact amount of alcohol consumed
  • Whether karate shop break-in was same raccoon
  • Total damage cost or inventory loss
  • Video footage availability despite ceiling damage

What people are saying

“After a few hours of sleep and zero signs of injury (other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices), he was safely released back to the wild, hopefully having learned that breaking and entering is not the answer.”

— Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter, official statement

“It wreaked havoc. It broke several bottles and consumed the spirits.”

— Carol Mawyer, Virginia ABC Public Relations Manager

The contrast between the shelter’s matter-of-fact statement and Mawyer’s colorful description captures how the incident evolved from crime scene to viral sensation. The raccoon became a symbol of audacity, then recovery, then merchandise.

Related reading: passed out

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Frequently asked questions

How did the raccoon enter the Virginia liquor store?

The raccoon fell through the ceiling tiles directly into the store. The impact collapsed a ceiling tile, which also knocked out the security camera footage of the break-in.

What type of liquor was involved?

The raccoon targeted the bottom shelf, smashing bottles of scotch and whisky. It reportedly also consumed rum, moonshine, vodka, peanut butter whiskey, and eggnog.

Why is it called an ABC store?

Virginia operates state-controlled liquor stores under the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) system. These stores have exclusive rights to sell spirits in the state, making the raccoon’s target particularly unique.

Was the raccoon injured?

No injuries were reported. After sleeping off the alcohol at the shelter for several hours, the raccoon showed no signs of injury. Officials noted it may have had a hangover but appeared otherwise healthy.

Are there videos of the incident?

No footage exists of the actual break-in because the ceiling collapse knocked out the security cameras. However, video from the scene showing the aftermath and the unconscious raccoon has circulated widely online.

What is the raccoon’s nickname?

The raccoon is nicknamed the “trashed panda,” a moniker that plays on both its appearance and its destructive evening. The Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter embraced the nickname, selling “Trashed Panda” T-shirts as a fundraiser.

Has the raccoon been caught again?

Authorities have not confirmed any additional incidents involving the same raccoon, though speculation persists about a suspected break-in at a local karate shop six days later.

Virginia ABC turned the incident into a marketing opportunity, launching a promotional campaign featuring raccoon imagery. The shelter’s “Trashed Panda” merchandise continues to sell, transforming a one-night crime spree into a fundraising phenomenon. Local authorities in Hanover County now keep watch for any repeat visits from the “trashed panda”—the fuzzy, four-legged intruder that fell through a ceiling, drank its way through a liquor store, and stumbled into viral fame.