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Police arrested 27-year-old Charles Smith on Saturday in connection with the incident that happened on Thursday at the megastore at Stapley Drive and Baseline Road.
Mesa police said they found out about the video showing the items getting sprayed on Friday.
Police said Smith entered the store with plans to film social media pranks, but he instead grabbed a can of Hot Shot Ultra Bed Bug and Flea Killer without paying for the item.
Video uploaded to social media, but later deleted, shows Smith spraying the pesticide on various produce items available for purchase, including vegetables, fruit and rotisserie chickens.
A Walmart spokesperson said workers removed all the directly impacted products and cleaned and sanitized the affected area of the store.
Smith reportedly filmed his face, the pesticide can and the act of spraying the items before he posted the video online.
Mesa police began an investigation along with the Tempe Police Department and identified Smith as the suspect. Police contacted Smith, and he turned himself in voluntarily.
Police say Smith admitted to the act in an interview. He faces the following charges:
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Man arrested for spraying bug killer on food inside Mesa Walmart
MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — A man faces multiple charges after he allegedly filmed himself spraying bug killer on food products at a Walmart Supercenter in Mesa.Police arrested 27-year-old Charles Smith on Saturday in connection with the incident that happened on Thursday at the megastore at Stapley Drive and Baseline Road.
Mesa police said they found out about the video showing the items getting sprayed on Friday.
Police said Smith entered the store with plans to film social media pranks, but he instead grabbed a can of Hot Shot Ultra Bed Bug and Flea Killer without paying for the item.
Video uploaded to social media, but later deleted, shows Smith spraying the pesticide on various produce items available for purchase, including vegetables, fruit and rotisserie chickens.
A Walmart spokesperson said workers removed all the directly impacted products and cleaned and sanitized the affected area of the store.
Smith reportedly filmed his face, the pesticide can and the act of spraying the items before he posted the video online.
Mesa police began an investigation along with the Tempe Police Department and identified Smith as the suspect. Police contacted Smith, and he turned himself in voluntarily.
Police say Smith admitted to the act in an interview. He faces the following charges:
- Introducing Poison (Class 6 Felony)
- Criminal Damage (Class 1 Misdemeanor)
- Endangerment (Class 1 Misdemeanor)
- Theft (Class 1 Misdemeanor)
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Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.