Thursday after midnight in Barrie, the real drama wasn’t a masked burglar—it was a raccoon with a gourmet craving and a knack for comedy. Forget your average crime, this was a home invasion with a punchline, right in the heart of Ontario.
Picture this: a homeowner on Sunnidale Road, nerves on edge, calls 911 after hearing suspicious noises echoing through the garage. That old Canadian instinct kicks in, thinking maybe someone’s after the ski gear or the toolbox. But as the police arrive, boots crunching on the driveway, the real culprit is about to reveal itself.
Now, Barrie folks know raccoons aren’t shy. These little furballs have a sixth sense for compost and a taste for mischief. This particular ‘masked suspect’ had found its way into the garage, rummaging about like it owned the place, paw deep in a container of apples. Not exactly Bonnie and Clyde, unless they had a phase where they robbed fruit stands.
Police cracked open the garage, ready for anything. Out shot the bandit—tail high, eyes wide, and probably thinking “how do you like them apples?” The officers could only laugh. There’s nothing like a raccoon to turn a tense moment into slapstick. No arrests, no victims, just a very satisfied animal and a compost bin lighter by a few apples.
This episode says a lot about Barrie’s relationship with its wildlife. Raccoons here are part of the scenery, as familiar as the local rink or Tim Hortons. They aren’t just pests; they’re comedians, keeping the neighbourhood on its toes and reminding everyone to lock up the snacks.
So next time you hear a bump in the night, think twice before gripping your hockey stick. It might just be Barrie’s finest four-legged burglar giving you a dose of “how do you like them apples”—and you’ve got to admit, that’s a story worth telling.
References:
Ontario homeowner calls 911 to report break-in, police find racoon eating apples
