It is a relatively simple process to catch a raccoon. First, make a small hole in a box, it should be skinny, not too wide, but not too deep. In the bottom of the box hammer nails through the floor so they are facing into the box and on the nails put little pieces of tin foil, enough so it catches the light if a little eye was peering in.

The raccoon, being a naturally curious creature, will see you put the box out, and maybe catch a glimpse of the light reflecting off the tin foil and at night, go over to investigate. Raccoons like shiny things and once it sees the tin foil it will reach its paw through the hole to grab the tin foil. When it has its prize it will attempt to pull its paw out of the box, but it won't be able to. Its arm might go through the hole but its fist will be too big.

All the raccoon has to do is unclench its paw and let go of the tinfoil. It won't be able to. It will clench so hard on the tinfoil that it won't be able to escape. That is how you catch a raccoon.

I've been behaving a bit like the raccoon.