A 36-year-old Californian managed to live at Chicago’s O’Hare International for three months, according to prosecutors and the Chicago Tribune.
Aditya Singh, 36, was charged with criminal trespassing in a restricted area of an airport and misdemeanor theft.
According to police, Singh went to O’Hare on October 19, but was afraid to fly home because of the coronavirus.
“It shows how things can escape,” said transport expert Joseph Schwieterman. “You have an idea at the airport and it can go undetected for weeks. It is really remarkable that nowadays and in security this has happened.”
On Saturday, two United Airlines employees approached Singh and asked for his identification. He displayed a badge, but it actually belonged to an operations manager who reported his disappearance on October 26. The employees then called 911.
“Many people no doubt look back and are embarrassed, gate agents, who have probably seen this individual,” said Schwieterman.
Singh said he managed to survive by getting food from other passengers.
“There is no real security risk here, that is the good news,” added Schwieterman. “It just shows how different parties can not communicate, question themselves.”
The Chicago Aviation Department, which oversees the city’s airports, released the following statement about the incident:
“The CDA has no higher priority than the security of our airports, which is maintained by a coordinated and multi-layered law enforcement network. While this incident remains under investigation, we were able to determine that this gentleman did not pose a security risk. to the airport or to the traveling public. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in a thorough investigation of this issue. ”