New video shows the moment when a California man was arrested after allegedly hiding at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport undetected for three months because he was afraid of the new choranan virus.
Footage released by the Chicago Aviation Department and obtained by local affiliate FOX 32 Chicago shows Aditya Singh, 36, wearing what appears to be a brightly colored vest while being approached by uniformed officials just before 11:30 am on January 16. More police or security guards are seen arriving and, within minutes, Singh is searched and taken away from the area, the video shows.
The Orange, Calif. Man was charged with a criminal raid on a restricted airport area and misdemeanor theft. He was released under electrical monitoring, but was forced to stay away from the airport.
THE MAN IN CALIFORNIA ALLEGEDLY LIVED AT CHICAGO AIRPORT FOR MONTHS BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID TO FLY
During a hearing earlier this month, assistant state prosecutor Kathleen Hagerty said Singh was located by two United Airlines employees, who asked him for identification, the Chicago Tribune reported. Singh lowered his mask and showed a badge that actually belonged to an airport operations manager who reported his disappearance in late October, Hagerty said.
The officials called the police, who took Singh into custody. Singh was “afraid to come home because of COVID,” said Hagerty, and told authorities that he had found the badge and that other passengers at the airport had given him food.
On January 16, 2021 at approximately 11:21 am, Aditya Udai Singh, 33 was arrested at O’Hare Airport and charged with impersonation in a restricted area of the airport and theft of less than $ 500. (Chicago Police Department)
(Chicago Police Department)
An assistant public defender said Singh has no criminal record. She also said it was not clear why Singh, who is unemployed, came to Chicago or if he has ties to the region.
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Before bailing Singh, Cook County judge Susana Ortiz was clearly concerned that someone could remain in a safe area for so long at the airport without anyone noticing.
“The court finds these facts and circumstances quite shocking for the supposed period of time that this occurred,” said the judge. “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 . “
Prosecutors later revealed that Singh flew from Los Angeles to Chicago airport on October 20, but was too afraid of COVID-19 to leave the airport, according to the local news station WMAQ-TV.
In addition to the badge, which Singh said he discovered at Terminal 3 at the airport, the man was also in possession of “a large key ring with about 50 keys, a round bronze label (REFURBISHED) and a belt clip,” according to with WMAQ, which cited a police dispatch record.
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He reportedly told the police that he also found the keys in Terminal 3.
Singh told police he survived “asking other passengers for money,” according to the report. He allegedly complained about running out of funds and said he was “trying to find his next move”.
His next trial is scheduled for March 2.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.