Cafe cook suspected of poisoning waitress

A cook at a franchise of the Aroma chain of cafes in the central region was brought before the court on Thursday on suspicion that he had poisoned a waitress.

The cook, 20, was said to have gotten into a personal argument with the waitress after she urged him to work faster. He is suspected of having retaliated by putting oven cleaner in her salad.

The waitress, feeling sick, was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Tests revealed traces of toxins in her system.

“We’re in touch with the worker and are glad to report that she’s on the mend,” Aroma said in a statement. “She’s currently resting at home. We’re fully committed to the health and safety of our workers. We informed police the moment suspicions emerged. ”

The waitress filed a complaint with the Dan District police and the cook was arrested Wednesday. Judge Shaul Avinor decided to release him to house arrest the next day, citing his clean record and saying police had failed to collect sufficient evidence to warrant incarceration.

Attorney Salah Suad said his client, whose name was withheld by gag order, denied the charges.