Chuck E. Cheese Employee Arrested for Credit Card Fraud While in Costume
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – An employee of the popular children’s entertainment chain Chuck E. Cheese was arrested Wednesday in Florida for allegedly using a stolen credit card. The suspect was taken into custody while wearing the iconic Chuck E. Cheese mascot costume, according to police reports.
The incident began when a woman reported to police that her child support Visa debit card had been used without her authorization. She stated she had last seen the card after a visit to a Chuck E. Cheese location in late June. Charges were reportedly made at a smoke shop, a grocery store, and a Whataburger.
The woman was able to identify the suspect by reviewing surveillance footage from the grocery store where her card was used, recognizing the individual from his time at the Chuck E. Cheese restaurant. Upon arrival at the establishment,officers confirmed the suspect’s presence. Initially, the man was not in costume but appeared visibly nervous, described by an officer as having “wide eyes and squared shoulders in a tensed demeanor.”
When officers returned, the suspect had donned the Chuck E. cheese mascot suit. Another employee confirmed to officers that the man in the suit was indeed the suspect.
The arrest highlights the ongoing challenges businesses face in preventing fraud and ensuring the security of customer payment data.while the specific circumstances of this case involve an employee in costume, the underlying issue of credit card misuse remains a persistent concern for retailers and consumers alike.