Furry masked bandits elude capture at paint store

New Albany police were called to the Sherwin-Williams paint store on West Bankhead Street about 1 p.m. Wednesday to deal with intruders. The intruders turned out to be raccoons.

Officers from the police and sheriff’s department responded and at first spotted raccoon paws sticking out from beneath some of the building’s metal siding.

The animals appeared to be trapped but when officers began loosening the metal the raccoons scurried toward the back of the building.

Animal control officer Jim Taylor arrived on the scene and began searching as well.

Store personnel said they have probably had more then 20 raccoons in the building, usually in the ceiling, and efforts to stay rid of them have failed.

They speculated that while the paint store might be a good place to stay, the raccoons were actually there for the Dollar General store next door in the same building. That’s because employees at that store have been known to dump dog and cat food in an open trash container in the back of the store. There is really nothing in the paint store good for them to eat.

After about 30 minutes of searching unsuccessfully, officers left. It was not clear whether some other capture methods might be tried or that everyone would wait until the next sighting of raccoons.

Employees were concerned about the health and possible safety hazard the raccoons might present but said the store owner has been working to try to keep the masked bandits out of the building and away from the premises.