Tallahassee, Florida – A children’s birthday party at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant turned chaotic on July 23, 2025, when Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) officers arrested an employee dressed as the iconic mouse mascot for credit card fraud, leaving families and children stunned. The suspect, identified as Jermell J. Jones, 41, was apprehended in full costume, with viral photos and videos capturing officers escorting the handcuffed “Chuck E.” out of the restaurant at 2810 Sharer Road.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY, the incident stemmed from a report filed by Michelle Allen, who noticed unauthorized charges totaling $105.57 on her child support Visa debit card between July 3 and July 22, 2025. Allen had last used the card at a child’s birthday party at the same Chuck E. Cheese location on June 28. After obtaining security footage from Don’s Grocery & Meats, one of the businesses where the fraudulent charges occurred, Allen identified Jones, a Chuck E. Cheese employee, as the individual using her card. She met officers in the restaurant’s parking lot on July 3 to report the theft and returned on July 23 to press charges.
TPD officers initially identified Jones as the employee checking stamps at the front desk. However, when they returned to make the arrest, another employee informed them that Jones was now in the Chuck E. Cheese mascot costume. According to the affidavit, Officer Jarrett Cruz approached Jones, stating, “Chuck E, come with me, Chuck E,” before grabbing his arm. Jones reportedly tensed up and resisted, prompting officers to handcuff him in the restaurant for the safety of customers, himself, and the officers. A search revealed the stolen card in Jones’ possession, according to TPD spokesperson Alicia Hill.
Jones was charged with three felonies: theft of a credit card, criminal use of personal identification information, and fraudulent use of a credit card more than twice within six months. This was not Jones’ first alleged offense, as police noted a similar incident within the past six months. He was booked at Leon County Detention Facility and released on a $1,000 bond the following morning, per Leon County court records.
The arrest, captured on video by patrons and shared widely on social media, sparked outrage and debate. One Facebook user, Chuck Hobbs, posted, “Ok, Tallahassee Police Department, y’all couldn’t let this man change out of his Chuck E. Cheese costume before arresting him in front of those kids?” A TikTok clip by user @courtneygooddd, showing officers removing the mascot’s head to reveal Jones, garnered nearly 300,000 likes in under 24 hours. Hill defended the TPD’s actions, stating to the Tallahassee Democrat that officers intended to arrest Jones discreetly outside but were forced to act publicly due to his resistance.
Allison Chouinard, a representative for Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company, CEC Entertainment, told USA TODAY, “We are aware of an incident involving a part-time employee arrested at our Tallahassee location on Wednesday, July 23. We have taken the appropriate action concerning the subject employee.” The company emphasized that the incident was unrelated to its operations, with one employee telling the Tallahassee Democrat, “It’s unfortunate that it happened here.”
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is also investigating multiple Chuck E. Cheese locations in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Pinellas counties for potential credit card skimming devices on point-of-sale systems, raising concerns about broader security issues at the chain. FDACS advises customers to monitor their accounts, report suspicious charges, change PINs, and consider credit freezes to prevent further fraud.
The incident has left a mark on the family-friendly chain’s reputation, with social media users joking, “Y’all think he ratted?” and others lamenting the trauma for children witnessing their beloved mascot’s arrest. As the investigation continues, the surreal image of “Chuck E. Cheese” in handcuffs remains a stark reminder of the unexpected places where crime can surface.
Sources: Tallahassee Democrat, USA TODAY, TMZ, Salon.com, The Independent
