The streets of New Boston are a little safer this week—at least for anyone with an unattended trash can. On Monday afternoon, police and firefighters teamed up to capture a repeat offender at the Buckeye Towers senior housing complex. The suspect? A juvenile raccoon with a taste for free meals.
Dubbed the “Buckeye Towers Bandit,” the furry culprit was charged—tongue firmly in cheek—with littering, criminal damaging, breaking and entering, and criminal trespass. The most serious crime? Stealing food from unsuspecting residents. Fortunately, no drug paraphernalia was found on the suspect.
Officers secured the raccoon and even provided it with a snack before it was removed from the building. The critter’s mugshot, complete with its natural black “mask,” was described as “adorable” by officers on the scene.
Raccoons: Cute, But Troublesome Neighbors
While the incident sparked plenty of laughs, raccoons are a serious nuisance for homeowners. These nocturnal animals are expert scavengers and climbers, often tearing into garbage cans, attics, and even gardens in search of food. Their nimble hands (yes, raccoons have “thumbs” of sorts) make them surprisingly good at opening containers and doors.
Beyond the mess, raccoons can spread diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, and raccoon roundworm, making close encounters risky.
What To Do If You’ve Got a Raccoon Problem
If a raccoon decides your home is its hangout spot, here are some strategies:
🗑️ Secure your trash cans. Use tight-fitting lids or bungee cords to keep raccoons from turning your garbage into a buffet.
🌽 Don’t feed them. Leaving pet food or scraps outside is like setting up an all-you-can-eat buffet for the “masked bandits.”
🏠 Block entry points. Seal off holes in attics, crawlspaces, and under decks where raccoons might nest.
🚫 Skip the DIY wrestling match. Never try to grab or corner a raccoon—call animal control or a licensed wildlife removal expert.
A Safer, Quieter Buckeye Towers
For now, residents of Buckeye Towers can rest a little easier knowing the “bandit” is no longer on the loose. But with raccoons being both clever and common in Ohio, it’s safe to say this won’t be the last time the New Boston Police Department faces off against a furry felon.