What Really Happened in the Chuck E Cheese Arrest?
Tallahassee, FL – A bizarre scene unfolded at a Chuck E Cheese on July 23, as police arrested a costumed mascot in front of stunned kids and parents. Officers say the man, later identified as 41-year-old Jermel Jarreay Jones, was wearing the full Chuck E. Cheese suit he was handcuffed at work for allegedly stealing a customer’s debit card.
The suspect resisted at first, forcing officers to tell him, “Chuck E, come with me,” according to the arrest report. Jones, still in the famous mouse costume, was taken into custody and escorted to a patrol car outside the restaurant, where police uncovered the stolen debit card hidden in his pocket.
Was the Chuck E Cheese Employee Framed or Caught Red-Handed?
Police allege that Jones used the stolen debit card six separate times, making purchases at places like a smoke shop, a local meat market, and even Whataburger. Jones claimed he had just found the card and was about to hand it in, but the victim wasn’t buying it.
In a twist, the card’s rightful owner did her own detective work. After spotting strange charges, she tracked one purchase to a local store, got surveillance footage, and identified the suspect as an employee at Chuck E Cheese. She then contacted police and helped set up the sting operation that led to Jones’ arrest.
As of now, Jones faces multiple felony charges: larceny of a debit card, unauthorized ID possession, and fraudulent use of the card.
A Chuck E Cheese spokesperson confirmed the man was a part-time employee and said the company has taken “appropriate action.”
