TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A surreal scene at a Chuck E. Cheese in Tallahassee has gone viral after body camera footage showed police arresting a man dressed in a full mascot costume while children looked on in confusion, USA Today reported.
The suspect was working as the Chuck E. Cheese mascot on July 23 when officers entered the restaurant-arcade and handcuffed him, according to newly released footage from the Tallahassee Police Department. Police say the man was wanted in connection with a credit card fraud investigation.
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The bodycam video, released by police, captures the moment officers approached the costumed suspect, who was interacting with children.
“Chuck E.’s a little bit busy, ma’am,” an officer says as a woman asks to take a picture with the mascot.
“Chuck E., come with me,” the officer continues before placing him under arrest.
Children can be heard reacting in disbelief, with one saying, “Oh no!” and parents questioning what was happening.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the arrest stemmed from a complaint filed by a woman who told police she discovered over $100 in fraudulent charges on her credit card following her visit to the restaurant for her child’s birthday party in June, according to the report. After reviewing security footage from a local grocery store, Allen identified the man using her card as a Chuck E. Cheese employee. When she visited the location on July 23 to confront him, she contacted police, who met her in the parking lot.
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Inside, officers located the suspect after another employee pointed him out as the person wearing the mascot suit. When officers attempted to take him into custody, the suspect reportedly resisted by pulling away and bracing his arms against his chest. He was eventually handcuffed and escorted outside to a patrol car.
During questioning, the suspect denied the allegations.
“The only cards I use is my own Cash App,” and stating that if he had found a credit card, he would have turned it in to Chuck E. Cheese. He also denied making purchases at the stores listed in the report, which included a meat market and a smoke shop.
The suspect was charged with theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card more than twice within six months and criminal use of personal identification information, three felony counts, according to Leon County court records. He was booked at the Leon County Jail and later released on bond.
This is not the suspect’s first encounter with the law. Since 2004, he has faced multiple charges in Leon County, including petit theft, possession of marijuana and cocaine, trespassing and indecent exposure. Chuck E. Cheese confirmed in a statement that they were aware of the arrest involving a part-time employee at their Tallahassee location and that they have taken “appropriate action” in response, according to the report. The company did not provide further details.
