SALAD BARF! DELI-DUMP SUSPECT NABBED (Score 1)

SALAD BARF! DELI-DUMP SUSPECT NABBED

A gross-out gourmet was caught dumping human waste on a Midtown salad bar - and is suspected in more than a dozen similar stomach-turning incidents, police said.

Workers at the deli grabbed the feces-flinging fiend after they noticed him emptying two bottles of disgusting-smelling liquid onto food trays in the back of the store at around 5:40 p.m., police said.

Cops responding to the bizarre call arrested Arellano and confiscated the bottles, which were sent to the Health Department for testing.

"Oh, it makes me sick just thinking about it," said Alpine customer Dawn Riggins, a 33-year-old beautician from The Bronx. "What kind of person would do that? It's disgusting."

Arellano was charged with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal tampering and public urination.

And in a twist sure to make Midtown workers lose their lunch - or never eat it again - police said they are investigating numerous other incidents at eateries in Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, and around 42nd Street.

Officials said Arellano has already been identified by witnesses as the man who recently tried to foul the food at Mike's Take-Away Deli in Grand Central, and will soon be charged in that case.

Other suspected victims of the dung-disher in the past few days include a Krispy Kreme, Zaro's Bakery, and Caruso's Pizza in Penn Station, police sources said.

Police are also investigating him for other alleged incidents, officials said.

Police said several proprietors witnessed what they thought was bizarre behavior by a man matching Arellano's description - while others had customers complain of foul odors coming from certain foods.

Deli customer Keshia Williamson said the incident explains why deli salads often taste like, er, garbage.

"I'm sure this happens at other delis, too," said the 21-year-old college student. "The person who did this is an animal. He could've gotten people sick.

"I'm not going to eat anything more from a salad bar."