A Chuck E. Cheese employee shocked families when police dragged him away in handcuffs while he was dressed as the beloved mouse mascot. Jermel Jones, 41, was arrested at the Tallahassee restaurant on July 23 for stealing a customer’s credit card. Kids and parents watched in horror as officers pulled the criminal rat right off the restaurant floor.
The whole mess started when a mom noticed someone was using her child support debit card without permission. She lost the card during her kid’s birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese in late June. Like any smart parent, she tracked down the thief herself by checking store cameras and recognized Jones from the restaurant.
When cops showed up at Chuck E. Cheese, Jones tried to hide behind that ridiculous mouse head. Officers had to ask other workers if the guy in the costume was their suspect. The employee nodded yes, and that was it for this wannabe criminal mastermind.
Body camera footage shows officers telling confused parents that Chuck E. was “a little bit busy” when they asked for pictures. Then came the unforgettable moment when cops yelled “Chuck E, come with me Chuck E, stop resisting!” What kind of grown man steals from hardworking families and then hides in a kids costume?
Police found the stolen debit card right in Jones’ front pocket, just like the victim suspected. This career criminal also had marijuana on him because of course he did. He claimed he just “found” the card and never used it, but the evidence says otherwise.
The charges against Jones included fraudulent use of credit cards after investigators found he used the stolen card at multiple businesses. He hit up a smoke shop, grocery store, and Whataburger with someone else’s money. These are the same food stamps and government benefits that struggling families depend on to survive.
This whole disaster shows what happens when businesses don’t properly screen their employees. Parents trust these places with their children and their personal information. Instead of protecting families, Chuck E. Cheese hired a criminal who preyed on innocent customers.
American families deserve better than having their kids’ birthday parties ruined by criminals in costume. When parents work hard to give their children special memories, the last thing they expect is to become victims of theft. This arrest should remind every business owner to do better background checks and put law-abiding citizens first.
