Prankster behind bars after tampering with food at Arizona Walmart

A recent incident at a Walmart in Mesa, Arizona, resulted in the arrest of a prankster who sprayed bug killer on food items in the store. Charles Smith, 27, was charged with felony-level poisoning and misdemeanor-level criminal damage, as well as misdemeanor charges of endangerment and theft. The Mesa Police Department confirmed the arrest and provided details of the incident.

On December 19, around 8:30 p.m., Smith entered the Walmart with the intention of filming pranks for social media. He grabbed a can of bug killer without paying for it and proceeded to spray it on various produce and prepared food items, including vegetables and rotisserie chickens. Smith filmed the act and later posted the video online.

After being identified as the suspect with the help of the Tempe Police Department, Smith voluntarily turned himself in and admitted to the crimes. The Mesa Police Department commended the quick arrest, which occurred less than 24 hours after the incident was reported.

The authorities highlighted the potential dangers of reckless actions disguised as social media pranks. Walmart confirmed that all tainted products were removed from shelves and the affected area of the store was cleaned and sanitized. The company expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to customers and pledged to cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring food safety and the potential consequences of irresponsible behavior. Customer safety is always a top priority, and it is essential to remain vigilant against harmful actions that can endanger public health. As the investigation continues, Walmart and law enforcement are working together to address the situation and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Andrea Margolis, a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, can be contacted for story tips at andrea.margolis@fox.com.