MESA, AZ — Mesa police have arrested a man after he allegedly posted a video online showing himself spraying bug spray on produce at a local Walmart.
Police announced Saturday that 27-year-old Charles Smith was taken into custody in connection with the video.
ABC15 was made aware of the social media video Friday morning. It shows a man holding a can of Hot Shot bug spray that he appears to spray on various foods at a grocery store, including fresh produce and prepared chicken.
Police say the incident reportedly occurred on Thursday night at the Walmart near Stapley Drive and Baseline Road.
They say Smith intended to film pranks for social media, but instead picked up a can of bug spray from the shelf without paying for it, and then sprayed it on the produce and rotisserie chickens. Smith reportedly filmed his face, the can, and the act of spraying the can and posted it online.
According to court documents, Smith returned to the store a short time later to retrieve the contaminated items, which were valued at over $900, placing them in a shopping cart and putting the cart in the back of the store. It is unclear if anyone interacted with or purchased the contaminated items.
Smith reportedly admitted to the theft and the video to Mesa police.
He now faces charges of introducing poison, criminal damage, endangerment, and theft.
