According to prosecutors and the Chicago Tribune, a 36-year-old California was able to live in Chicago’s O’Hare International for three months.
Aditya Singh, 36, was charged with felony criminal trespass in a restricted area of an airport and felony theft.
According to police, Singh went to O’Hare on October 19 but was afraid of flying home because of the corona virus.
“It shows how things can slip through the cracks,” said transportation expert Joseph Schwieterman. “You get an idea at the airport and can spend weeks without being noticed. It’s really remarkable that this happened in this time and safety.”
On Saturday, two United Airlines employees approached Singh and asked for his identification. He showed a badge, but it actually belonged to an operations manager who reported him missing on October 26. The employees then called 911.
“A lot of people are no doubt looking back and ashamed, gate agents, who have probably seen this person,” Schwieterman said.
Singh said he could survive by getting food from other passengers.
“There is no real security risk here, that’s the good news,” Schwieterman added. “It just shows how different parts don’t talk to each other, question each other.”
The Chicago Department of Aviation, which oversees the city’s airports, released the following statement regarding the incident:
“CDA has no higher priority than the safety and security of our airports, which is maintained by a coordinated and layered law enforcement network. While this incident is still under investigation, we have determined that this gentleman did not pose a security risk to the airport or to the traveler. public. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. ”