A prankster was recently arrested and charged after allegedly spraying bug killer on food in an Arizona Walmart, police say.

Charles Smith, 27, was charged with felony-level poisoning and misdemeanor-level criminal damage, in addition to misdemeanor charges of endangerment and theft. The Mesa Police Department confirmed the arrest in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The incident began on Dec. 19 at around 8:30 p.m., police said, when the suspect entered a Mesa Walmart “intending to film pranks for social media.” He then grabbed a can of bug killer “without paying for it,” according to the police’s statement.

According to the authorities, Smith aimed the spray at both produce and prepared food items, such as rotisserie chickens.

THIEVES STEAL 2,500 PIES IN ODD FOOD HEIST GONE WRONG: ‘SO MUCH WASTE’

“He then sprayed the pesticide on various produce items, including vegetables, fruit, and rotisserie chickens that were available for purchase,” the Mesa Police Department’s statement said. “Smith filmed his face, the pesticide can, and the act of spraying. He later posted the video online.”

Smith later voluntarily turned himself in and admitted to the crimes.

“Through investigative means, and with assistance from the Tempe Police Department, detectives were able to identify Smith as the suspect,” the statement added. “Mesa Police contacted Smith and he turned himself in voluntarily. During the interview, Smith admitted to the theft and spraying of the pesticide.”

WOMAN ‘STILL SUFFERING’ AFTER BEING KNOCKED OUT BY A CAULIFLOWER WHILE GROCERY SHOPPING

The incident took place at a Walmart in Mesa, Arizona. (Google Maps)

“Thanks to the tireless work of our officers and detectives, an arrest occurred less than 24 hours after police were notified of the incident,” the police department continued. “We also extend our gratitude to the Tempe Police Department for their valuable contributions and collaboration in quickly solving this case.”

Authorities added that the incident exemplifies “the potential dangers of reckless actions disguised as social media pranks.”

On Sunday, Walmart told Fox News Digital that customer safety “is always a top priority,” and confirmed that all tainted products were removed from shelves.

The Mesa Police Department confirmed Smith’s arrest in a statement to Fox News Digital. (Google Maps)

“We have removed all directly impacted product and have cleaned and sanitized the affected area of the store,” the company continued. “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.”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on Sunday and accused the collegiate organization of deceptive marketing practices for including transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Paxton said in a news release the NCAA violated the Texas Trade Practices Act “which exists to protect consumers from businesses attempting to mislead or trick them into purchasing goods or services that are not as advertised.”

He accused the NCAA of “engaging in false, deceptive, and misleading practices by marketing sporting events as ‘women’s’ competitions only to then provide consumers with mixed sex competitions where biological males compete against biological females.”

“The NCAA is intentionally and knowingly jeopardizing the safety and wellbeing of women by deceptively changing women’s competitions into co-ed competitions,” Paxton said in a statement. “When people watch a women’s volleyball game, for example, they expect to see women playing against other women—not biological males pretending to be something they are not. Radical ‘gender theory’ has no place in college sports.”

FATHER OF FEMALE RUNNER FORCED TO COMPETE WITH TRANS ATHLETE SHARES FURY OF SITUATION: ‘CAN’T EVEN DIGEST IT’

SJSU trans player Blaire Fleming, left (Thien-An Truong/San Jose State Athletics/File)

Paxton said he was seeking a court to grant a permanent injunction to prohibit the NCAA from allowing transgender athletes in women’s sports in Texas or “involving Texas teams, or alternatively requiring the NCAA to stop marketing events as “women’s” when in fact they are mixed sex competitions,” the news release said.

The NCAA released a statement to Fox News Digital later Sunday.

“College sports are the premier stage for women’s sports in America, and while the NCAA does not comment on pending litigation, the Association and its members will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports and ensure fair competition in all NCAA championships,” the organization said.

NCAA President Charlie Baker was grilled over transgender participation in sports while he was on Capitol Hill last week. He was also asked about it during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

When McAfee asked Baker how the parents of daughters should feel about trans athletes in women’s sports and the NCAA’s record on it, Baker downplayed the impact.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (Reuters/Brian Snyder/File)

“There are 510,000 college athletes playing in the NCAA, there are less than 10 transgender athletes, so it’s a small community to begin with,” Baker said.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.