Newly released bodycam footage shows the surreal moment Florida police arrested a man dressed as the Chuck E. Cheese mascot during a child’s birthday party, after he was accused of credit card fraud.
Jermell Jones, 41, was working in full costume as the iconic character when officers arrived at a Tallahassee Chuck E. Cheese on July 23. The bizarre scene left parents and children visibly confused and alarmed as officers approached the costumed employee.
“Chuck E.’s a little bit busy, ma’am,” Officer Jarrett Cruz told one adult as he and his partner moved in. “Chuck E., come with me.”
Police briefly struggled to detain Jones near the arcade area, just steps from the “Cars” and “SpongeBob SquarePants” games. Still wearing the large mouse suit, Jones was accused of stealing a customer’s credit card and using it fraudulently.
“Chuck E., stop resisting,” Officer Cruz was heard saying on the footage. “You’re being detained. Let it go. Don’t cause a scene here, sir.”
As officers escorted the mascot out of the restaurant, one mother tried to shield her child from witnessing the arrest.
“We’ve got to do our job, ma’am,” Cruz told her. “This isn’t my call.”
A child’s voice was caught in the background asking, “What are you doing?” as the mouse mascot was taken away.
One upset parent confronted the officers, asking, “Would you put Mickey Mouse in handcuffs?” to which one officer simply replied, “Have a good night,” before walking off.
Police eventually helped Jones out of the costume, removing the mouse head, gloves, giant shoes, and suspenders, before placing him in the back of a patrol car.
Jones denied the allegations against him.