Tallahassee police officers arrested Chuck E. Cheese on charges of credit card fraud on Wednesday.
Police handcuffed the mascot’s paws behind his back inside a local outpost of the children’s arcade and pizza parlor chain and photos of the arrest quickly spread on social media. Authorities believe Jermell Jones, who was dressed as the rodent when they arrived, stole a customer’s credit card and used it to make fraudulent purchases.
In the photos, police can be seen leading the iconic pizza rat through the front door of the establishment.
“Ok, Tallahassee Police Department, y’all couldn’t let this man change out of his Chuck E. Cheese costume before arresting him in front of those kids?” wrote one Facebook user while sharing photos of the incident.
TPD spokesperson Alicia Hill told the Tallahassee Democrat that officers had hoped to lead Jones out of the restaurant without placing him in handcuffs.
“When they approached him, he immediately tenses up and resists, and so at this point they make the decision to put him in handcuffs, keeping in mind the safety of not only the customers, but the suspect, as well as the officers themselves,” Hill said. “It is unfortunate that the person who is subject of this investigation and who we had probable cause on happened to be … in costume.”
Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company, CEC Entertainment, told the oulet they have taken “appropriate action.”