When we in Florida hear news of an arrest taking place in Tallahassee, we usually shrug and nod. Whether it concerns politicians or members of the Seminoles football team, it is considered a welcome and expected event. However, I am here to deliver a dose of disappointment, as there was some police activity in the state capital that did not involve those groups.
No, instead police arrested Chuck E. Cheese.
This might come across as a stretch of the truth to generate a particular bit of hype, but no – in true Florida fashion, this involved Tallahassee’s Finest slapping the bracelets on the famed rat mascot, inside one of the pre-adolescent entertainment emporiums.
Police came in to arrest Jermell Jones, 24, for a list of charges, and after confirming that Mr. Jones was on duty that day, they walked in and told management, “We’re here for the mouse.” That was because officers discovered at the time that Jones was in costume, greeting patrons and their children. (I’m ever curious about parents who encourage their children to develop a fondness for invasive rodents.)
The arrest took place on July 23, but the police bodycam footage was recently released, and sure enough, we see them detaining the rat and escorting him out of the location. Many of the children were aghast, and some parents expressed their dismay that the police would perp walk the rat in front of their kids. One mother is heard on video exclaiming, “Would y’all put handcuffs on Mickey Mouse?!”
To help you out, Ma’am, this is Ron DeSantis country. He has battled Disney and won, so to answer your question: Yes, yes they would.
"Chuck E.'s a little busy, ma'am."
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 2, 2025
Body cam footage has been released showing Tallahassee police detaining a man dressed as Chuck E. Cheese after he was identified as a suspect in a credit card theft investigation.
Officers arrested 41-year-old Jermell Jarreau Jones on July 23… pic.twitter.com/RSWDMRBe35
One thing the police did properly was wait until they were outside before having Mr. Jones doff his furry togs as he was about to be cuffed and stuffed. There are, after all, particular protocols when it comes to mascot attire etiquette – as we saw this past weekend at the Oregon football game. The officers did return to get up to the management prior to leaving the scene.
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While being detained, Jones offered up the always successful dint-do-nuffin defense, asking why he was being exterminated from his place of employment. The police arrived because he was facing credit card theft, credit card fraud, and criminal ID theft.
The authorities were tipped off when a report came from a Florida woman that her credit card had been lost and used illegally. She detailed that her last time possessing it was at the arcade where Jones plies his vocation. She had identified Jones to the police after viewing security footage from a local store where her card had been used.
Although he posted bond and denied his guilt, Jermell may have become trapped by his own hubris. Despite all his rage, he will likely end up a rat in a cage; the police identified the woman’s credit card in Jermell’s possession at the time of his arrest. For the time being, at least, he will no longer infest Chuck E. Cheese.
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