Raccoon's courthouse crime spree ends with capture

ATLANTA -- The evidence in his office gave the judge pause: a half-eaten apple and some very distinctive footprints.

Federal bankruptcy Judge Paul W. Bonapfel reported the break-in last week at the Richard B. Russell Federal Building in downtown Atlanta.

The intruder made no effort to cover his tracks in the 14th-floor office. The perpetrator was a raccoon.

In the following days, judges and staff who work in the building reported other thefts of food on various floors.

Wildlife capture specialists were called in and placed a trap in the ceiling over a judge's office.

The wait ended Monday when a judicial assistant heard a noise overhead. Two workers removed the ceiling tiles and grabbed the suspect.

Office workers named the raccoon "Russell," in honor of the building's namesake. The building manager said he wanted the raccoon released out in the country.