"Afraid of COVID-19"... Man Hiding for 3 Months Caught at US Airport

Airport Staff Using Access Badges to Roam Security Zones
Judicial Authorities Express "Serious Concern Over Airport Security"... Officials Criticized

Adita Singh (36, male) who was arrested after hiding for three months in the restricted area of Chicago O'Hare International Airport [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] A U.S. man who sneaked into an airport and hid for three months, fearing infection from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), was arrested by the police. It was revealed that he lived by using an airport employee's access badge to enter and exit restricted areas, sparking criticism toward airport security officials.

According to foreign media including the BBC on the 18th (local time), Adita Singh (36), a U.S. man who had been sneaking in and out of restricted areas at Chicago O'Hare International Airport for three months, was arrested by the police. After his arrest, he reportedly stated, "I did not go outside the airport because I was afraid of getting infected with COVID-19."

Earlier, Singh boarded a flight from Los Angeles and arrived in Chicago last October. Since then, he had been entering and exiting the airport's restricted areas and hiding for three months without being caught even once. The reason he was not detected was reportedly because he accidentally obtained an access badge belonging to an airport operations manager, which allowed him to move freely in restricted areas. The badge had been reported lost by the airport operations manager.

A United Airlines employee, suspicious of Singh wandering in the restricted area, reported him, ending his activities. The employee approached him and asked to see his identification, and after confirming that the photo on the ID did not match his face, immediately reported him to the police.

He is currently unemployed and residing in Los Angeles, with no prior criminal record. He has been charged with unauthorized entry into restricted areas and theft, and the court has banned him from entering the airport entirely and ordered him to pay a $1,000 bail bond.

The court pointed out the airport's security issues and strongly criticized the airport security officials who failed to detect Singh. Judge Otis, who is handling Singh's trial in Cook County, said, "This case is a very serious intrusion incident," and added, "It raises concerns about the safety of citizens using the airport."