AZUSA — A man was arrested Thursday night for allegedly trying to poison his wife who ended up in the hospital after tasting something unusual in her cereal.

Fernando Porras, 43, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder early Friday morning at the Azusa Police Department jail where he is being held in lieu of $1 million bail, Azusa police officials said.

“The investigation ultimately revealed that her husband, Fernando Porras, placed a poisonous chemical in her food,” Azusa police officials said Friday in a written statement.

The incident began about 8:40 p.m. when police received a call from a home in the 200 block of North Dalton Avenue, Cpl. Randy Schmidt said.

The 51-year-old woman started eating a bowl of cereal and noticed a horrible smell and taste, he said.

The woman was taken to Foothill Presbyterian Hospital for treatment, police said. While there, the husband’s behavior raised officers’ suspicions.

Porras allegedly told police he was going outside to smoke a cigarette. He left instead.

“He walked away from the hospital,” Schmidt said.

Officers found the man on 5th Street and Rockvale Avenue and arrested him on suspicion of attempted murder.

Police said there were family members who heard the man allegedly make incriminating statements.

It was not clear Friday what chemical was believed to have been used in the alleged poisoning, and an update on the woman’s condition was not available.

ccording to sheriff’s booking records, Porras was due to be arraigned Tuesday in the West Covina Superior Court.

– Staff report