A 27-year-old man has been indicted for spraying chemicals on vegetables and chicken at a Mesa store, authorities said.
Charles Smith recorded what he had done and posted it on social media, …
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A 27-year-old man has been indicted for spraying chemicals on vegetables and chicken at a Mesa store, authorities said.
Charles Smith recorded what he had done and posted it on social media, according to a release this week from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
The meat and produce, valued at $900, had to be discarded, the release stated.
The incident occurred about 8:30 p.m. Dec. 19 in the Walmart at 1955 S. Stapley Drive.
Smith entered the store intending to film pranks for social media but instead selected a can of Hot Shot Ultra Bed Bug and Flea Killer from the shelf without paying for it, police said.
“He then sprayed the pesticide on various produce items, including vegetables, fruit and rotisserie chickens that were available for purchase. Smith filmed his face, the pesticide can and the act of spraying. He later posted the video online,” an earlier release stated.
“Through investigative means, and with assistance from the Tempe Police Department, detectives were able to identify Smith as the suspect."
Mesa police contacted Smith, and he turned himself in voluntarily.
Smith was indicted on one count of burglary, two counts of adding poison or other harmful substance to water, food, drink or medicine, one count of endangerment and one count of criminal damage, according to MCAO.
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