Raccoon 'Cole' Breaks Into Virginia Liquor Store, Passes Out in Bathroom After Booze-Fueled Rampage

08:31 AM, 12/03/2025

A raccoon nicknamed "Cole" broke into an Ashland, Virginia, liquor store on Black Friday, smashed bottles and was found passed out on the bathroom floor in a "sploot" position. Authorities followed a trail of broken liquor to the animal and took him to the county animal shelter to sober up. After a few hours and a health check with no injuries, Cole was released back into the wild. The shelter joked there is no camera footage because Cole apparently entered through the ceiling and "took the cameras down with him."

An intoxicated raccoon nicknamed "Cole" reportedly broke into a liquor store in Ashland, Virginia, on Black Friday, helped himself to bottles and was later found passed out on the bathroom floor. A trail of shattered liquor bottles led officers to the masked intruder, who was photographed asleep in the classic "sploot" position — sprawled beside a garbage can and a toilet.

Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter said police brought Cole to the county shelter so he could sober up under supervision. After a few hours of rest and a veterinary check with no visible injuries, staff released him back into the wild.

Shelter statement

"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," the shelter wrote.

The shelter also noted there is no camera footage: investigators believe Cole entered through the ceiling and "took the cameras down with him." Police reportedly responded to the shelter's post with a GIF of television judge Simon Cowell applauding.

No additional follow-up was reported; shelter staff confirmed Cole was returned to his natural habitat once they determined he was uninjured.

Raccoon 'Cole' Breaks Into Virginia Liquor Store, Passes Out in Bathroom After Booze-Fueled Rampage

Shelter statement

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