Chuck E. Cheese mascot busted for credit card theft in full costume in Florida

What started as a regular birthday bash at a Chuck E. Cheese in Tallahassee took a bizarre turn weeks later, when a mum discovered suspicious charges on her debit card. After digging into the transactions, she recognised someone in the surveillance footage, none other than a Chuck E. Cheese employee from her daughter’s June 28 party.



That employee turned out to be 41-year-old Jermel Jones, who allegedly racked up over $100 on the stolen card across various locations including a smoke shop, a Whataburger and a Circle K. The customer did some detective work of her own before alerting the police.



On July 23, Tallahassee police rolled up to the children’s pizza joint and found Jones on duty, fully suited up as Chuck E. Cheese. In a moment that sounds straight out of a cartoon, Officer Jarrett Cruz grabbed the mascot’s arm and instructed, “Chuck E, come with me, Chuck E.”


According to the police report, Jones tensed up and resisted as if the costume gave him superpowers. He was handcuffed on the spot and escorted out, still in character.


While Jones initially denied stealing any cards or making dodgy purchases, officers allegedly found a receipt in his possession that matched one of the fraudulent transactions. He later admitted he had found a card that very day but insisted he “never used it.”


Police disagreed. Jones is now facing felony charges for credit card theft, criminal use of personal identification, and making multiple fraudulent purchases over $100.


Following the viral arrest, Chuck E. Cheese released a statement confirming that appropriate internal actions were taken. The company is trying to distance itself from the drama, but the internet has already crowned this incident as one of the most chaotic mascot moments in recent memory.