A California man who allegedly hid in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for three months has been arrested and charged with felony trespassing to a restricted area of an airport and misdemeanor theft.

Aditya Singh, 36, told police he was afraid to return home because of the coronavirus.

Singh was arrested after he was spotted by two United Airlines employees, who asked him for identification, as reported in The Chicago Tribune. Singh reportedly pulled down his mask and flashed a badge that belonged to an operations manager who reported it missing in October.

Employees called the police, and once taken into custody, Singh told arresting officers that he found the badge and survived because other passengers gave him food.

During a recent bond hearing, prosecutors said Singh arrived in Chicago on Oct. 19 from Orange, California, and has lived in the airport ever since.

“The court finds these facts and circumstances quite shocking for the alleged period of time that this occurred,” said Cook County Judge Susana Ortiz. “Being in a secured part of the airport under a fake ID badge allegedly, based upon the need for airports to be absolutely secure so that people feel safe to travel, I do find those alleged actions do make him a danger to the community.”

What remains unclear is Singh’s ties to Chicago. Singh lives with roommates in Orange, California, and does not have a criminal background, according to Assistant Public Defender Courtney Smallwood. She [Singh’s attorney] also told the court that he has a master’s degree in hospitality and is unemployed.

The judge said Singh could be released if he paid $1,000, but added that he is prohibited from setting foot in the airport.

His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 27.

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