Chuck E Cheese mascot arrested in full costume for credit card fraud
Police in Florida have arrested a Chuck E Cheese mascot and put him in handcuffs while he was dressed in his elaborate work attire.
Jermell Jones, an employee of the family entertainment centre and restaurant chain, was arrested on three felonies while still donning a supersized mouse head costume. To make matters worse, the arrest took place while children watched on as their hero, Chuck E Cheese, was locked in cuffs and thrown into the back of a police vehicle.
The arrest was made on July 24th after a woman visited the branch of Chuck E Cheese earlier this month, and later reported around $100 of fraudulent activity on her credit card, which she claimed to have tracked down to Jones.
Speaking to the local newspaper the Tallahassee Democrat, police spokesperson Alicia Hill said of the unconventional arrest: “They walked over with the intention of just walking outside to put handcuffs on him outside of public view.”
However, according to Hill, Jones was resistant, which led to their arrest in full public view as children watched on. Jones was identified by his mascot name, with a police officer saying to him, “Chuck E, come with me, Chuck E.”
Hill conceded: “It is unfortunate that the person who is subject of this investigation and who we had probable cause on happened to be in a suit and in costume.”
Jones was allegedly found to have the stolen credit card on his person, and has since been charged with theft of credit card, criminal use of personal identification information and fraudulent use of a credit card more than two times within six months.
CEC Entertainment, the parent company of Chuck E Cheese, have since issued a statement on the matter, confirming that they have “taken the appropriate action concerning the subject employee.”