Mouse Arrested Mid-Birthday Bash: Chuck E. Cheese Employee Busted for Credit Card Fraud… In Costume

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TALLAHASSEE, FL — Kids expecting pizza, tickets, and the timeless joy of animatronic rodents got a surprise twist Thursday evening when Chuck E. Cheese himself was arrested mid-party…for credit card fraud.

Yes, really.

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Not So Chuck E. Sleazy…?

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The man inside the mouse — Jermell Jarreau Jones, 41 — was supposed to be the star of the show, entertaining a room full of sugar-rushed kids. Instead, he ended the night in cuffs, still wearing the full mascot costume, including the oversized mouse head and giant plush sneakers.

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According to police, Jones was charged with three felonies — allegedly swiping credit card info from a child support debit card (yes, it gets worse) and using it to rack up $105.57 in fraudulent charges. That’s a whole lot of skee-ball.

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The illegal purchases reportedly occurred between July 3 and July 22, shortly after the victim’s family attended a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Investigators traced the digital cheese trail right back to the guy in the giant purple t-shirt.

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‍Police rolled up to the Tallahassee Chuck E. Cheese on Sharer Road Thursday night and found Jones already suited up — mid-performance. Witnesses say kids were still screaming “Chuck E.!” as officers very gently escorted the mouse off the dance floor and into a squad car.

One officer was even heard saying, “Come with me, Chuck E.,” like it was part of the show.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

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Kids watched as the beloved mouse was read his rights and the giant mascot head was placed — no joke — on top of the police cruiser like a fallen warrior’s helmet. Photos quickly went viral, and now “#FreeChuckE” is trending for all the wrong reasons.

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Jones was booked into Leon County jail and later released on a $1,000 bond, hopefully not paid with more stolen funds. He’s facing felony charges for:

• Credit card theft
• Criminal use of personal ID
• Fraudulent use of a credit card

…and possibly emotional damages from dozens of confused children who will now associate the words “fraud” and “Chuck E. Cheese” forever.

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The Real Drama

Some parents are applauding law enforcement for acting fast. Others are wondering if maybe — just maybe — police could’ve waited for the guy to at least take the mouse head off before traumatizing an entire generation.

“He could’ve slipped into something less rat-shaped,” one mom commented online. “My kid thinks they arrested the real Chuck E. Cheese and now he won’t sleep.”

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Final Thoughts

It’s not every day a grown man in a foam mouse suit is arrested for financial crimes while holding a toddler’s hand. But hey, it’s Florida — and apparently, even birthday parties aren’t safe from felony charges.

One thing’s for sure: next year, that family’s having their party at Dave & Buster’s.

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