A raccoon that went on a drunken rampage in a Virginia liquor store has now been identified as a repeat intruder responsible for at least three separate break-ins.
The animal achieved viral fame after being found comatose in the Ashland ABC Store's bathroom, where it had consumed whiskey and other spirits just two days after Thanksgiving.
In a social media post titled “Suspect Apprehended After Liquor-Fueled Rampage”, Animal Protection Officer Samantha Martin captured the hearts of thousands of users who commented on how she handled the incident "with professionalism and good humour".
Images of the scene showed the unconscious creature sprawled next to the toilet alongside shattered bottles of spirits, earning him the moniker "trashed panda" from social media users.
However, Ms Martin has now revealed the creature had previously invaded both a martial arts training facility and a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office within the same Ashland business complex.
During the DMV incident, the animal reportedly helped itself to staff members' snacks before being apprehended and removed.
"This is not the first time he's been in one of the buildings," Martin explained on the Hear In Hanover podcast.
"This is the third break-in he's had."
The raccoon was passed out after raiding a liquor store | HANOVER COUNTY ANIMAL PROTECTION AND SHELTERThe officer confirmed the raccoon had been extracted from both establishments on those previous occasions.
Following the animal's liquor store incident on Black Friday, he spent several hours recovering at the local animal shelter, where staff allowed him to sleep off the effects of his drinking session.
The store thanked Officer Martin for her help and for "providing our visitor with a sober ride home".
Officers made the decision to return the creature to woodland near the location where he was discovered, despite his repeated infractions.
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Officer Samantha Martin arrived at the scene to discover puddles of alcohol and several smashed bottles | HANOVER COUNTY ANIMAL PROTECTION AND SHELTERMs Martin revealed relocating the animal to a different area would prove fatal.
"We don't relocate him, because that's a death sentence for raccoons," she said.
By early afternoon on the day of his liquor shop escapade, the raccoon had sufficiently recovered from his intoxication to be released.
"Around one or two o'clock that afternoon he was picking his head up, he was looking good and I released him back out in the woods," Martin confirmed.
"But somehow he knows how to get back in this building. He's a smart little critter!" she quipped.
In the aftermath of the raccoon's drunken stupor, the local animal welfare service capitalised on its viral fame by partnering with a firm to sell merchandise.
Sales of clothing items, including T-shirts and hoodies, alongside mugs and stickers, have generated more than $180,000 (£135,000), which will be used to enhance the facility.
Other local shops have also attempted to capitalise on the incident by creating themed beverages, with bars offering speciality drinks named the "Trash Panda Old Fashioned" and the "Midnight Masked Gin Fizz" in tribute to the creature.
Reflecting on the last few weeks, Ms Martin said the animal was "living his best life" and deserved to "have a drink or two, especially on Black Friday".
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