Mouse Arrested Mid-Birthday Bash: Chuck E. Cheese Employee Busted for Credit Card Fraud… In Costume
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.
Not So Chuck E. Sleazy…?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.