Popular mascot Chuck E Cheese gets arrested and cuffed in front of crying kids

Jermell Jones was arrested at a kids' entertainment centre in Florida on Wednesday on credit card theft charges - six months after trying a similar ploy dressed as Mickey Mouse.

Adrian Zorzut

15:00, 26 Jul 2025

[Jermell Jones being escorted out a kids' entertainment centre dressed as Chuck E. Cheese]

Jermell Jones was escorted out a kids' entertainment centre dressed as Chuck E. Cheese(Image: https://nypost.com/2025/07/24/us-news/chuck-e-cheese-mascot-arrested-in-front-of-horrified-kids/)

An alleged fraudster dressed as Chuck E. Cheese, a popular American fast food restaurant mascot, was arrested and cuffed in front crying kids enjoying a birthday party.

Jermell Jones was working at a kids' entertainment centre in Tallahassee on Wednesday (July 23) when cops stormed in during a birthday party and cuffed him, according to TMZ.

The heartless fraudster was caught on camera wearing the mascot's purple "C" sweatshirt and giant red shoes and looking glum as he was escorted to a nearby cop car.

Jones was reportedly busted six months earlier for the same offence but that time was dressed as Mickey Mouse, TMZ said.

[Jermell Jones mugshot]

Jermell Jones was reportedly busted for the same crime six months ago(Image: Leon County Sheriff's Office)

Jones was charged with credit card theft, criminal use of person identification information and fraudulent use of a credit card. He was booked and released Thursday morning on a $1,000 (744) bond.

Despite their heroics, cops were blasted for hauling Jones away in his mouse costume as kids watched on. One man wrote on Facebook: "Ok, Tallahassee Police Department, yall couldnt let this man change out of his Chuck E. Cheese costume before arresting him in front of those kids?"

It comes as a Mickey and Minnie superfan was gobsmacked after being dress coded at Disney World for her "inappropriate" shorts and T-shirt outfit.

While known for being 'the happiest place on Earth', the theme comes with some strict rules. One of these rules revolves around dress code and what you wear to visit the theme park.

Several people have recently gone viral online after claiming they were stopped while entering the Magic Kingdom section of the Florida park and asked to cover up.

[Jermell Jones being escorted out a kids' entertainment centre by police in Florida, USA]

Jones was looking glum after being busted by police(Image: link:https://nypost.com/2025/07/24/us-news/chuck-e-cheese-mascot-arrested-in-front-of-horrified-kids/)

Jessie May went to visit the park recently - which is home to the Cinderella castle - wearing a red T-shirt, a white bag, Mickey ears as well as red and white low rise gingham shorts. While some people loved the outfit, others dubbed it as "inappropriate for Disney". One even said her shorts looked like a "nappy" and another asked, "Is this a diaper?"

Another said she "acted like a stripper" after posting a video of her dressing up in Disney outfits at home. Following the comments, she shared another video showing her out and about in Magic Kingdom in the shorts and T-shirt set and asked if others thought it was inappropriate.

Jessie, who has been going to Walt Disney World for 15 years with her family and once worked at the parks over summertime, responded to the reaction with a follow up video. She said: "Who knew wearing shorts and a T-shirt to Disney would cause this much of a stir? People are so mad at me for this outfit."

The Disney college program alumni said: "It states things such as 'no excessively ripped clothing', which my clothing had no rips, 'no clothing with swear words on or anything offensive', which, once again, it was a red gingham outfit, so none of that.

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"But I think the thing they're referring to is the bit that says 'you should not show excessive amounts of skin' - I was obviously wearing a top which comes up to the top of my neck, sleeves, but it stops just above my belly button.

"And then I'm wearing low rise shorts, which fully cover everything - I had my legs out and my stomach out, so if that's what excessive amounts of skin means, I'm really sorry."

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