A man was arrested at Chicago O’Hare Airport for trespassing after allegedly living at the airport for three months.
Aditya Singh was charged with a criminal invasion after being found in a restricted area of the airport, according to the Cook County Attorney’s Office, reports CBS Chicago. Singh was also charged with theft of less than $ 500. He appeared in court on Sunday and received $ 10,000 bail. If the bail is paid, it will be monitored electronically.
Singh told police he was afraid to fly due to the coronavirus pandemic, state prosecutor Kathleen Hagerty said in court, according to the Associated Press. When he was discovered at the airport, officials called the police.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Hagerty said Singh told authorities he found an employee badge and other passengers at the airport gave him food.
Cook County Sheriff’s Office via AP
“So, if I understand correctly, are you telling me that an unauthorized, non-official individual was supposed to be living in a secure part of the O’Hare airport terminal from October 19, 2020 to January 16, 2021 and was not detected? I want to understand you correctly, “Cook County judge Susana Ortiz said during the hearing.
It is not clear why Singh, who is from Orange, California, came to Chicago in the first place, assistant public defender Courtney Smallwood said in court. She said Singh has no criminal record.
“The court finds these facts and circumstances quite shocking for the supposed period of time that this occurred,” said Ortiz. “Being in a safe part of the airport under a fake ID badge, supposedly, based on the need for airports to be absolutely safe for people to feel safe to travel, I think these alleged actions make it a danger to the community . “
CBS News has contacted the Cook County State Attorney’s Office for more information and is awaiting a response.