Man sprays bug killer on food at Walmart and films it for social media, Arizona cops say
An Arizona man was arrested after police say he sprayed food with a pesticide at Walmart as a social media prank.
Around 8:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 27-year-old Charles Smith went to a Walmart in Mesa with the intention of filming a prank for social media, according to a news release from the Mesa Police Department.
While in the store, Smith grabbed a can of Hot Shot Ultra Bed Bug and Flea Killer from a shelf, which he did not pay for, police said.
Smith then recorded himself spraying the pesticide on fruits, vegetables and rotisserie chicken, according to police. He later posted the video online.
A Walmart spokesperson told KPNX that the store “removed all directly impacted product” and “cleaned and sanitized the affected area of the store.”
Investigators were able to identify Smith in the video, which showed his face, according to police. After authorities contacted him, Smith turned himself in and admitted to stealing the can and spraying the food, police said.
“This incident underscores the potential dangers of reckless actions disguised as social media pranks,” police said.
Swallowing bug spray can cause breathing difficulty, coughing, seizures, stomach issues and more, according to Medicineplus.gov.
Smith also had a warrant for his arrest in Tempe and is accused in other incidents that “created real danger to the public,” KPNX reported. Documents show he told investigators he does “pranks” to post online, according to the outlet.
Smith is charged with introducing poison, criminal damage, endangerment and theft, according to police.
This story was originally published December 22, 2024 at 12:44 PM with the headline "Man sprays bug killer on food at Walmart and films it for social media, Arizona cops say."
