The Easter Bunny at the Mall is usually a pretty laid back animal who does most of their work while seated. What the heck could he have doing on break that was so “suspicious?”
Joshua Lee Bolling was arrested while working as Easter Bunny at the Piedmont Mall in Danville, Virginia. Image Police Handout/© Danville Police Department
Easter Bunny arrested in Danville mall
By: GoDanRiver Staff | Richmond Times-Dispatch | April 07, 2012
It wasn’t exactly the scene parents picture when taking their children to see the Easter Bunny.
Instead of hopping down the bunny trail, a man dressed as the Easter Bunny was escorted away by police Friday at Piedmont Mall.
Joshua Lee Bolling, 24, donning the costume of the cuddly critter, was charged with illegally possessing prescription narcotics, according to a news release from the Danville Police Department.
Bolling was arrested while working as the costumed Easter character at Danville’s Piedmont Mall.
The police investigation began after complaints were received from mall businesses and management of behavior suggestive of “possible criminal drug activity,†the release stated.
“His suspicious behavior took place while he was on breaks and not during his contact with children,†the release stated.
Bolling was a contract worker for an outside company providing the Easter activities and was not employed by Piedmont Mall, according to police.
Mall management and security worked with the Danville Police Department Street Crimes Unit to observe the suspect’s activities, which eventually led to the seizure of pills for which Bolling did not have a valid prescription.
Bolling was asked to accompany officers away from the public area where he was working and he was escorted to a private changing area where he removed his costume and subsequently was arrested.