It might have looked like a fraternity prank-- but it was serious business for sheriff's deputies. seven men dressed as women entered a north central Florida grocery store today and attempted to steal several items ... and that's when things got out of hand. Three store managers were pepper sprayed-- and one was shoved to the ground.

"I've never seen a manager or store employee attempt to stop somebody where they've been pepper sprayed however I have seen several times in the past where men pose as women or women pose as men to disguise their selves.

Octavias Smith of Gainesville was arrested Monday afternoon after investigators say he was caught shoplifting at the Sweetbay store on Southwest 34th street in Gainesville.

Law enforcement officers say smith and company actually got away from the Sweetbay store before they arrived. By following leads though, deputies found the car used in the getaway at the nearby Majestic Oaks Apartment complex. After interviewing residents, they found out where Smith lived and soon arrested him on misdemeanor battery charges. As for what Smith and company were attempting to steal...

"They were trying to steal meats from the meat section, juices, juice boxes and things like that. My understanding is that they were gonna try and make a nice dinner tonight and unfortunately they decided to take the items instead of paying for them."

Of the six other men dressed as women that entered the store with smith ... police say they're only filing charges against one other person - the one who used the pepper spray. They haven't released the name of the other individuals, but say that they will as soon as they make the arrest. Looks like Smith won't be getting that nice dinner afterall ...