A prankster in Arizona has been arrested after a shocking stunt at a Walmart store in Mesa. Charles Smith, 27, is now facing some serious charges after he allegedly sprayed bug killer on food items while filming a social media prank. The police have charged him with felony-level poisoning, as well as misdemeanor charges for criminal damage, endangerment, and theft.
The incident happened on December 19 around 8:30 p.m., according to Mesa police. Smith reportedly walked into the Walmart intending to pull off a prank for his online audience. He grabbed a can of bug spray without paying for it and then started spraying it on food.
Authorities said Smith sprayed the pesticide on fresh produce like fruits and vegetables and even on prepared items like rotisserie chickens. To make things worse, he filmed himself in the act, showing his face, the can of bug spray, and the food being contaminated. The video was later posted online, police said.
The prank quickly turned into a criminal investigation, and with help from the Tempe Police Department, detectives identified Smith as the suspect. He eventually turned himself in and admitted to what he had done during a police interview.
Mesa police thanked their team and the Tempe police for acting quickly. “Thanks to the tireless work of our officers and detectives, an arrest occurred less than 24 hours after police were notified of the incident,” their statement said. They also pointed out how dangerous such reckless actions can be, even if they’re meant to be pranks for social media.
Walmart confirmed they removed all the affected food items from their shelves and sanitized the area. “Customer safety is always a top priority,” the company said. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our customers as we work to resolve this issue. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement during their investigation.”
The incident is a reminder of how social media pranks can quickly spiral out of control and lead to real consequences.
