Police in Florida arrest man working as Chuck E. Cheese mascot
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - A Florida man working as a Chuck E Cheese mascot was arrested in full costume during his shift at a restaurant in Tallahassee after being accused of credit card fraud, according to news reports.
A woman told police she believed an employee at the Tallahassee Chuck E Cheese had stolen her credit card and used it at stores she didn't shop at.
The woman then obtained surveillance footage from one of the stores where the card was fraudulently used and recognized the suspect as the mouse mascot, later identified as 41-year-old Jermell Jones.
Recently released bodycam footage from the Tallahassee Police shows two officers arriving at the Chuck E Cheese on July 23 to take Jones into custody.
"We're gonna detain the mouse," one officer said as they walked inside.
The officers then walked through the amusement center in front of patrons and their children to handcuff Jones while he was still in full costume and one mother was asking the mascot for a photo.
"Chuck E's a little bit busy, ma'am," the officers told the mom as they grabbed Jones. "Chuck E, come with me. Chuck E! Chuck E! Stop resisting! You're being detained, stop resisting! Do not cause a scene here, sir."
As officers led Jones out of the venue in handcuffs, children could be heard yelling, "Chuck E, no!"
One patron even criticized the officers for handcuffing the mascot while still inside the restaurant.
"I would like y'all to walk him out the door instead of traumatizing all these children seeing someone like Chuck E Cheese [get arrested]," she said. "Would y'all put Mickey Mouse in handcuffs?"
Jones was charged with theft of a credit card, criminal use of personal identification information, and fraudulent use of a credit card totaling over $100, according to reports.
