On July 23rd, 2025, Tallahassee police arrested a suspect named Jamel Jones hiding behind a Chuck-E-Cheese mascot costume. Jones allegedly used a stolen debit card for fraudulent purchases. >> What is this? >> It's a felony. >> Okay, and what about what about if what about if three cops go in the front door do you >> He might try. I doubt it. I think he's >> That's what I'm saying. So our strategy is to get him just to go to the back just in case. >> Sweep in the back. >> I think I think that's a >> Okay. Yeah, I think I think I think I think I think I think I don't think he's >> Make sure you get everything and you're confident and can you let him see the video cuz he's going to be the one writing the report today. So or arrest or whatever comes from it. >> So >> He's in the bathroom. >> I'm going to use the bathroom. >> I'm going to use the bathroom. >> In this initial interaction with the officer, Jones isn't wearing the costume and his unease at the officer's presence is clearly visible. >> Yeah, well, it's not an MTA cuz it's felony. >> It's felony, yeah. He's he's got to go. >> Um we'll just see what he says and kind of go from there, but we have it on camera him using the card to buy something at Ernie's to get that store. That's on film actually uh you know, passing it and then obviously we have to actually get the footage from the actual store. So not that she's not credible. Obviously, she is, but we basically go from their system. >> With surveillance footage showing Jones using the stolen card, the officers move in without hesitation. >> 70 and we're 70 70 we're going inside the bathroom. >> You bring him out here or you going to talk to him in there? >> We'll detain him and put him in the car. >> Okay. >> But I would have asked him to >> We got to uh read him his Miranda rights before we talk to him, too. >> Okay. >> But I would have asked him in the back. I don't think he's going to say Did you ask management who's in the bathroom? >> Yeah, we already asked them. We don't know who he is. We don't know him. >> Thank you, sir. Yes, we are. Do it. I want you to. Go around in there. Go around. >> You want me to You want me to cut in front of these kids? >> Okay. Ma'am. Who's in the mouth here? Who's the gentleman that was just up here? Okay. Chucky's a little bit busy, ma'am. Chucky. Come with me, Chucky. Come with me, Chucky. Chucky, stop resisting. Stop resisting. You're being detained. Stop resisting. Let it Let it go. Let it go. Do not cause a scene here, sir. I got I got one. >> No. >> All right, come on. Go around this way, sir. Okay. Okay. We're going to talk in a minute, okay? We're going to do our job, ma'am. It's not my call, ma'am. Come on. I'm going to talk to you in a minute. Let you know what's going on, okay? All right, that's fine. I got you. >> I'm going to I'm going to work in the entertaining kids for a living. >> I got you, buddy. Come over here. You got You got anything on you? Can you poke me, stick me, stab me? You got anything on you? I'm going to pat you okay? What's that? What's in your pocket here? Just your wallet stuff? >> Does this come off, man? Oh, it hurts. I'm working. I'm just doing my job. I work at >> you. >> What the is this about? >> We're going to talk >> to talk in a second. >> Um how does this come off, man? Is it just like a normal shirt? >> I got I got I got to get I got to get this back to my This is my work stuff. >> Okay, we'll take care of that in a minute. >> Put him in the front of the car right now. >> Man, what is going on, man? >> All right, just hold on right here. You don't have anything that's going to poke me or stick me, right? >> No, sir, man. >> Don't worry about Don't worry about reaching or anything, okay? Where are the You got pants on underneath this? >> I got a trick on and stuff on, man. I got a good trick. What is going on? >> Just pat him down. Pat him down for now. >> I didn't feel any weapons, so >> Any weapons, no. >> I don't care what >> All right, have a seat here, sir. I'm going to read you something, okay? >> What is going on? >> I'm about to explain that to you right after I read you this, okay? >> I don't know what y'all talking about or what's going on. >> All righty, sir. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. Do you understand each of these rights as I've explained them to you? >> Yeah, I understand, but what is going on? I don't know anything. >> Have you previously requested any law enforcement officer to allow you to speak to an attorney? >> I haven't. I don't know anything thing about any of this. >> Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us now? >> What is going on? >> Having these rights in mind, do you want us to talk to you? Do you wish to talk to us about what's going on? >> I just need I just want to know what's going on. I have to get back to work. >> Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us now? >> Why y'all even harassing me and I didn't even do anything. I'm even working doing what >> Sir, I need you to answer the questions before I talk to you. Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us now? >> I I What I told you all of them and I don't know what's going on. >> It's a yes or no, sir. Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us now? >> What are them, man? >> Yeah, if he said it's a yes, okay. All right, so >> By agreeing to answer questions, Jones has to choose his words carefully. Lying will only make things worse. >> We are investigating some some fraud stuff with the credit card. Did you Have you been using anyone else's credit card anywhere? >> No, sir. >> Have you been Have you been shopping lately with a credit card? >> No, sir. Only card I use is my own cash app. That's it. >> So, you don't use a credit card anywhere? >> No, sir. >> Okay. Um You You've never obtained a credit card from here, found one, lost, or whatever else and use it anywhere else? So, there wouldn't be any video of you anywhere shopping with the credit card? >> Like at the meat market. >> meat market that doesn't belong to you? >> I don't know anything about a meat market. >> You don't shop at the meat market? You have So, you haven't gone anywhere and used a credit card to shop anywhere in the past week? >> No. >> Okay. Um Push it. >> Push him on the location. >> Okay. Well, yeah, what about All right. Well, I'll tell you what. >> I don't know anything about >> I was I was going to look at the video for myself. Can't remember the names of the places. >> I don't even know anything about none of these. >> Okay. >> As far as I know. >> So We got >> Cuz I cannot afford to lose this job. This is all I know in the world. >> I got you. Have you ever been to a place called 720? 720 O in Tallahassee? Oh, the meat market. Here we go. >> The one that you're on film stealing. >> What about Cloud Smoke Shop? You ever been there? Okay. >> you're also on film stealing. >> What about the Waterburger? You go to the Waterburger and get some food with a credit card? Okay. >> Only thing >> Meat Market. You went there multiple times. >> I used my own card. Not only use other people's stuff for nothing. >> Okay, at the Meat Market you use your own card? >> My own card, that's it. >> So you did you did go to the Meat Market then? >> I go there but I don't use nobody's card but my own. >> last time you went there? The Meat Market. >> A few days ago. >> Few days ago? Okay. And you used your own card there? >> Yes, my own. Nobody else's. >> Is that the app thing you were talking about? Your Apple Pay thing? >> Cash app. >> They take Cash App there? Okay. What about the Time Savers too? >> Cash app. >> Cash app, so you've been there recently? >> About 2 weeks ago. >> Okay. What about What about Tony Mart? No? >> I haven't been there recently. >> Haven't been to Tony Mart, okay. What Time Savers again? So you you can go to these places and use your Cash App on your phone to pay for stuff? Never with a card. Okay, so if we if we got video of you using a card >> I use my own card, no one else's. >> Well, you said it's a phone, right? It's a >> I have that card but it's not with me today. >> You have the card but it's not with What cards do you have on you today? >> I don't got no card on me. What boss card? That's it. >> That's it? Okay. >> And a pack of cigarettes, that's it. >> Okay, so you're so you're denying all all claims of of going over to these places and using a someone else's credit card. >> I use nobody's card but my own. >> Okay. Do you you know how much meat you bought or about how much stuff you spent in the past few weeks on your your your Apple card or your Cash App card or whatever card you had? >> Not too sure. >> Not too sure? >> No no ball parking. >> Okay. No ball parking. >> Wait, what were you buying from like the the 420, the smoke shops? Just cigarettes or >> Cigarettes. I just buy cigarettes. >> Okay. What about the other shops? What are you buying from there? >> [snorts] >> Don't know. >> Don't remember. >> Don't remember? Okay, so just just meat and cigarettes. video. >> I mean >> I don't know nothing about all this stuff. I don't use no car on my own car. I don't know nothing about this other [ __ ] >> Now that he's denied all allegations, officers show him evidence that's even harder to deny. >> I can't Does that look like you? Is that something you wear? >> No, sir. I don't wear no stuff like that. >> You don't wear anything like that? That's not you? That's not you? >> Hey, look at me. It's going to be in your best interest to tell the truth, okay? Don't Don't pretend like that's not you in the picture, all right? You know it's you. Just start telling us the truth. >> I don't want to go to jail >> I mean, if you're lying to us, you're only going to make things worse on yourself, buddy. Cuz all that's going to go in the report and all the judge is going to see all that [ __ ] >> I'm not trying to go to jail today. >> I I understand that, but we got to investigate what happened here. So, if you want to I mean, if you want to let us know what's going on, that would help everyone here, including yourself. >> Um >> It's the video. >> Can you hold his head, please? >> What? >> Get his name and then put him in >> All right. You got your Do you have your ID card on you in your in your pockets? You don't have your ID card on you? We're We're going to We're going to find out if you got it on you. So, if you're if you're lying to me, it's not going to go well, man. What's your name? >> Hold on a minute, officer. Can I go inside and get my wallet? >> Have a seat. You You can't go in >> inside there. >> Just tell us where it is and we'll go get it for you. >> What? >> Just tell us where your ID card is. >> I don't have it at all today. >> Okay, what's your What's your first name? >> My first name is Jermel. >> Spell it for me. >> J E R M E L L >> J E R M E L L? >> Yes. >> What's your middle name? >> J. >> What's your last name? >> Mhm. >> Sir, what's your last name? >> Jones, I just wore kid. >> J O N E S? Is it J O N E S, Jones? Spell it for me. Sir, what's your last name? Spell it. >> Jones, I just said that. >> Okay, spell it for me, please. J O N E S? How do you spell it? Okay, J O N E S. All right, what happened? Have a seat in there. >> My shirt's on. >> Go and Go and spell out the 20 oz. Yeah, yeah, let me take these off. >> He wants the He manager wants the uniform. >> Here, give me his info. All right, well. Jermel? Jermel? >> J E R M E L L? >> I can't hold up before I can take this off. >> J I'm sorry. J E R M E L L? >> Yes, sir. Where's your feet? I got to go get more of the shoes and everything. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we'll we'll get them for you. >> We'll take care of that. >> I'm not trying to go to jail today. >> We understand that. >> I don't know I don't want to go to jail today. >> We didn't want to come here and have to take you to jail, sir. >> I don't want to go to jail today. >> All right. You stand up Is there a belt on these pants? >> I got to take You got to work up before I can take all this stuff off. >> Yeah, yeah, we're going to take it off for you. Is there a belt on your pants? >> I got to take this stuff off to get the more regular [ __ ] >> I don't think you're understanding. >> Hold on. All right, I want to talk to y'all two bars over real quick. >> Okay. You got a tattoo up there that's going to come off your hair. We'll we'll we'll work on this and get it to you as soon as we can, okay? >> Zay. Go to jail. I'm not trying to lose this job. Something on you know you know what? >> If we take these cuffs off of you, are we going to have to get in a fight or >> No, sir. I'm going to cooperate. >> good. >> I'll go cooperate like a regular person. >> Thank you. >> All I do is do this 9-5 every day. That's it. I go to work, come home. That's it. Huh? Yeah. I think they Oh, this about to cost me my I'm about to lose >> not, man. I know the I the owner's a pretty good guy or the >> The main man. The GM. >> Yeah, he's a good guy. I don't know if it's going to cost you your job, man. >> I don't want to go to jail for nothing I didn't do. If I find a card or something, I turn it in and inform them, you know. >> We'll get it figured out, man. We'll get it figured out. >> If I was to find a card or something, I'm giving it up. I don't do nothing with other people's cards. >> My body camera is on and it's recording you saying that, okay? Go ahead and take your shirt off, please. >> [panting] >> I'm harassing a man working. >> Not really. >> All I do is work. This. >> Okay. I believe you. We're just doing our job right now, too, sir, okay? >> I don't know. Can I smoke a cigarette? >> Not right now. >> Not right now. >> We'll get to that in a second. >> Thank you. >> All right, stand up. Face away from me. Put your hands behind your back. >> I don't want to go to jail today. I'm laying a blame on camera and that stolen you saw but not using what y'all think. >> Okay. Thank you for the plus. >> I'm not trying to lose the rest of my work day. >> You said J. What's your middle name, sir? >> Jarreau. >> Jarreau? >> Yeah. >> How do you spell it? >> J a r r e a u. I hate that name. >> J a r r e a u? >> sir. >> I see. What does the card you use look like? Do you have a physical card that you use? >> It's all Mine is all white. >> It's all white? Is there anything on it? The lettering or any any numbers or any design? >> out name, but it's not written. >> It's just all white. It's just plain white. Nothing else on it. >> Nothing but my name and information and a little stripe I don't have it on me. >> No stripe? Where's the stripe at on it? >> On the back. >> On the back? Is it the like the thing that goes across that you would scan stripe? >> Like you swipe. >> Okay. And do you have any other cards? That's the only card you have. >> But I don't have that card with me today. >> you. I understand. Um he said he only has one card. It's completely white. >> Okay. >> 341, go ahead. >> today. >> Okay. 10-4. Hunter, tele type's looking for you. >> Tele type, go ahead. >> So, we got The only card you have is the one plain white card. It's got your name on it in small. And just the stripe on the back that you would swipe scan. >> Yeah, but it's not with me today. >> I understand that. You have no other cards. You have no other credit cards, debit cards, any type of cards. >> Bus card, that's it. >> What are those? >> Like the kids the bus with. >> Bus card? Okay, but you can't pay for items with that, right? >> you can't do nothing with that. >> Okay. And then you said when you go to these places where you were you saw yourself on camera, right? You used your your your own white card there. Okay, which is plain solid white. >> Right. >> Okay, with just your name and the back swipe swipe stripe. >> Right, my own metro. >> Okay. All right. Okay. Um and then yeah, other than other than that you would just use your phone app to pay for stuff and use that one white plain white card. Okay. All right. And did you use at all those smoke shops and meat places where you're using your just your white card >> Just mine. >> With that or your phone to pay at all these places? >> got my card. >> You switch back and forth? >> No. You know all those same card. >> Okay. And um what kind of stuff are you buying from the meat market? Was it meat or was it They sell other stuff there? >> I eat snacks. >> Snack [music] foods. Okay. So not a lot at once. Maybe what? Anywhere from 5 to 15 20 dollars at a time? >> You want to space it out. I got to eat when I'm coming here. >> Yeah, I understand that. >> I'll bring you a card or I'll have my other officer bring you a card in one second. Yes, sir. >> I'm trying to identify him still. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> What's your >> Have you ever been arrested in this state or in ever? Have you ever been arrested? >> The last time I was arrested was years ago. >> Years ago? Where was that at? >> You This one of the places I would do it at. >> Is it Tallahassee? >> In Tallahassee? >> What'd you get arrested for? >> Last time I got arrested was a possession case. I ain't been in trouble ever since. >> Okay. Possession of what? >> Yeah. Weed. >> Weed? Do you have an ID on you now? >> Okay. >> an ID or a driver's license at all? >> It's supposed to be a ID card, but I don't have it. I have to get it renewed. >> What's your social again? Give me your >> Jones's story keeps shifting, but the truth is clear to the officers. They just need him to admit it. >> Um so he says he only has one physical credit card. It's plain white, just his name on it and the magnetic strip on the back. That's all he has. If he would have used a card at all of these stores that he's he's seen himself on camera at, it would have been either his phone, Cash App or the Cash App all plain white card with a magnetic strip on the back. >> So the card that we see you using in the footage with the circle on it. What card is that? >> I didn't get that far. >> That's what we see in the footage. So what card is that? >> Um one of my cousins may send me with their card to go to the store here and there. That's it. >> What does that card look like? >> I do not know because it's not with me. >> Have you gone to the the store with your cousin's card at all the past few weeks? >> Keep keep working on that. >> I need my notepad. So I can write some information down. Come on, I need your cousin's information. >> I don't know none of their information, no. >> You don't know their information, but they send you to the store with their credit card. >> Maybe where they don't live at. >> Where do they stay? >> [sighs] >> You know How do you get in touch with them? >> That's too far out. >> What's their phone number? >> She don't got one. >> She don't got a phone number, so where does she stay? Where does your cousin stay at? >> I don't know where. >> you a card. >> What's that? >> On the other side of town, man. >> Other side of town? Where on the other side of town? I'm trying to help I'm trying to help you. You're telling me you're going with your cousin's card. Give me some information on how to find your cousin so we can verify and see what kind of card she has so we can help you. If you If you're going to tell me you're going with someone's card and not give me any information that helps me see if that's valid. >> like a gray card, but I don't know what kind of gray card that actually is cuz I only used it maybe a couple times and then I left >> Have you gone Have you gone to the store with anyone else's card other than hers in the past few weeks? >> No. >> Just hers. Okay, so So what's her name? >> All I know is Key. That's all I know. >> Key? >> Yeah, that's all I know. I don't know her actual >> Y? >> Yeah, that's all I All I know about. >> Okay, what's Key's phone number? >> I don't have a number. >> How do you get in touch with her? >> Facebook, but I don't have that on my phone on me right now. >> Her Facebook? Facebook messenger? >> Something like that, but >> Okay. >> Um I don't do nothing I ain't supposed to be doing. I ain't trying to go to jail today. >> Uh and you don't know what her address is. You don't know where she stays. >> Not She don't stay with this cousin. I stay with somebody else. >> And you said hers is a gray credit card? >> Yeah, it's just gray. That's all I know. >> What's What does it look like? Does it have her name on it? Does it have a magnetic strip? Does it have any other features on it? >> All the thing I know is her name. It was a old magnetic strip. That's it. All I know is the strip. Nothing else. I don't know what else. >> Okay. All right. So, which which day did she give you her card for you to go to the store? >> Yesterday. >> Yesterday? Any other day in the past 2 weeks did you go to the the store with her card? >> Quite a few days. Quite a few days. >> Which days? >> What? Last week. That's all I know. I don't even know about it or [ __ ] >> Well, which Well, which day? Were you going to pick something up for her or were you going to pick something up for yourself with her card? >> Yeah, when they need something they send me with they own [ __ ] >> Okay, where do they send you from? Where are they at usually when they're sending you? >> I get the house or something. >> Whose house? >> Like her house. Well, her own city. Whatever. It's just somewhere on this side of town. I don't know exactly where. >> At your house? >> Her house. I I don't have one. >> Well, how do you get to her house? >> Sometimes I catch the bus if I decide to go, but I don't go over there anymore. >> What stop does the bus drop you off at over there? >> I get off like I forgot. >> You forgot? Okay. And you So, you don't know which stop you get off at. You don't know how you make it to her house or where it's located >> She comes to meet me up or we meet up somewhere. We meet up. >> Okay, so how do you plan to meet up? How do you How do you call her? What's her phone number? >> I don't have her number. It's called a app. >> Okay. >> Do you have anything inside? Your manager's asking. Any personal items inside for us to get for you or anything like that? >> Well, what's going on? >> Uh well, you're probably going to jail, so >> I can't afford to go to jail today. >> I'm about to get fired. >> I hope he doesn't fire you, sir, but you have anything else you need us to grab for you? >> Can I get my arm warm >> stay stay in there. >> Warp keys, yeah. So, where are they so I can tell him? >> In in the Chucky room. >> In the Chucky room? And it's warp keys? >> Yes, sir. >> What else? Wallet or anything like that? >> Oh, got a wallet. >> You don't have a wallet? >> Oh, no no wallet, no car, man. >> Got you. Right now, it's it's out of our hands cuz there's been something that's been reported and there's there's physical visual evidence to match it and what what you're telling us is not helping break any of that. You know what I'm saying? So, basically we're we're probably going to have to take you over to jail, book you for this, and then the detectives are going to have to get to the bottom of what's going on here. If you're if you're innocent, they'll I mean, they'll talk to you and they will Of course, you're innocent until proven guilty, but they'll talk to you and you'll figure out with them the timeline of events and what's going on and how this stuff happened and how this misunderstanding took place, if that's what it is. And if not, if it's if if if something that you did and you're you know, you're either honest with him or you're not, and that's going to affect court trial and charges. So, it's it's how honest you're being helps you. More Do you know what I'm saying? More than it's going to help anyone else. So, it's we're we're trying to find out what's going on. What you're telling me is not making a whole lot of sense with what I'm seeing, and it's if you want to lie to us, you can lie to us. That's your choice. >> to y'all, but she >> If you want to tell us, you know, the truth or you can tell us whatever, you know what I mean? But if you The more truthful you are with us, the more it's going to help you in the long run. >> Cuz I'm not trying to go to jail today at all. >> I understand that, but what That's where we're at right now. We're going to jail right now. >> Yeah. >> So. >> Did you say you understand we have you on camera with someone else's card and then the exact amounts that you purchased items and the times that you appear on camera? >> that you appear on camera, we got all >> have probable cause for an arrest. >> We have everything that's that's on the >> you know. You'll be in route to the jail. >> Jones slowly realizes there's no way out today. Jail is inevitable, and half-truths won't save him, either. >> Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. >> Don't be reaching for anything, buddy. >> Say what? >> Okay. Okay. Okay. >> That's fine. Step out and face away. >> That's fine. >> What am I being charged with? What am I being charged with? >> have anything that's going to stick me or poke me, right? Last thing I want to do is get poked by something, okay? >> What am I being charged with? That's all my smoke, sir. >> You have a medical marijuana license, sir? >> I was on the way to getting one. >> Okay. All right. >> On the way. >> Here, just set it up, doc. >> That's mine. >> Oh. I wonder what this one is. >> Yep. >> And there's yours, too. See, you got >> You didn't have your card on you. I thought you told me you didn't have anything on >> I thought I didn't have it today. >> Okay. >> I found that today. >> Okay. >> I found that today. >> All right, sir. Got you. >> Can I please smoke a cigarette? >> That's going to be up to my boss here. That's not up to me. You want to let him smoke a cigarette? >> No. >> Please. >> No, sir. Jail staff can decide that when you get there, okay? >> All right. Have a seat back actually. Take your Take your shoe >> it in my pocket. >> Actually, yeah. Yeah. Yep. No, not leave them over here. Bring it up here. Bring it up here. >> When when you're done, take a photo of this and we'll get it back. >> Got you. >> What am I being charged with? >> I just told you, sir. Let me see. But you know everything that we have. We just We just explained it to you, right? >> Oh, [ __ ] Oh. Ow. >> I wish you had told me you had that on you. I got >> trying to get to that point. >> to um >> I was trying to tell you I had some weed in my pocket. I was getting to that. >> Well, let me see what I'm going to do about that, okay? Have a seat. Put your legs in there for me. >> That ain't no illegal substance. That's called for what I paid for that with my own card. >> Where'd you buy it at? >> I bought that at Ace Hardware. >> Ace Hardware? Why is it in a bag like that? >> They did that at Ace Hardware. >> They did that there? Okay. Have a seat. >> Jarmel Jones was charged with credit card theft, credit card fraud, and criminal use of personal identification, having been accused of committing these offenses twice within 6 months. He was released the next morning from Leon County Jail on a $1,000 bond, and the company confirmed they had taken appropriate action against him.