A Florida man was recently arrested while inside a Chuck E. Cheese mascot costume during a shift at the popular children’s entertainment venue. Police have released the bodycam footage of his detainment, which occurred in front of children at the arcade.
On July 23, 2025, Tallahassee Police Department officers entered the Chuck. E. Cheese building about 6:30 p.m. to apprehend Jermell J. Jones, 41, CBS Miami reported.
Bodycam video released by WCNC shows officers approaching Jones as he wore the Chuck E. Cheese mouse costume, telling him to “Stop resisting” as they forced his arms behind his back. In the background, kids with blurred faces are visible in the arcade area of the establishment.
“Come with me, Chuck E,” an officer told Jones as they led him out of the restaurant.
“No, Chuck E!” a young child exclaimed as the mascot headed outside.
Next, officers patted down Jones next to a police vehicle. Another bit of bodycam footage showed him sitting in the vehicle with the mascot head off as an officer told him he was accused of “some fraud stuff with a credit card.”
“No, sir. The only card I use is my own Cash App. That’s it,” Jones insisted.
Later, Jones allegedly admitted that he sometimes uses his cousin’s card, according to a police report obtained by CBS Miami.
The arrest happened after a woman allegedly provided video evidence incriminating Jones as the person who made fraudulent purchases with her child support debit card. Allegedly, she last used the card on June 28 at Chuck E. Cheese during her child’s birthday party, per CBS Miami. Her card was reportedly found in Jones’ pocket during the arrest.
Additionally, investigators used surveillance video from a store nearby as well as transaction logs showing Jones allegedly used the card at several locations.
Jones was charged with felony theft of a credit card, felony criminal use of personal identification information, and felony fraudulent use of a credit card over two times within two months, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. He was released the following morning on a $1,000 bond.
“We are aware of an incident involving a part-time employee arrested at our Tallahassee location on Wednesday, July 23,” a member of the Chuck E. Cheese parent company, CEC Entertainment, emailed the newspaper. “We have taken the appropriate action concerning the subject employee.”
