Indian National Auxiliary Police Caught Stealing Passenger’s AirPods

 

An auxiliary police officer stationed at Changi Airport has been charged with criminal breach of trust after allegedly keeping a passenger’s lost AirPods instead of handing them over. Sundar Aravinth, a 29-year-old Indian national, is accused of dishonestly replacing the AirPods Pro, worth $335, with his own unbranded earbuds when submitting lost-and-found items.

The case came to light on February 28, when the police received a report of suspected theft at Changi Airport Terminal 2. Investigations revealed that a passenger had left his AirPods on a plane, which was later found by a cabin crew member. The item was then handed over to Sundar, who was on duty at the time. Instead of following protocol, he allegedly kept the AirPods for personal use and submitted a photograph of his own unbranded earbuds to the lost-and-found office, falsely claiming they were the ones recovered.

When the passenger arrived to collect his lost item, he immediately noticed that the earphones given to him were not his. This led to an internal investigation by Sundar’s employer, which confirmed that he had taken the AirPods. A police report was subsequently filed, and Sundar was arrested. The stolen AirPods were later recovered and returned to the rightful owner.

Sundar appeared in court on March 7, where he expressed his intention to plead guilty. Speaking through an interpreter, he admitted to committing the offense without thinking about the consequences and requested to be sent back to his home country. The judge advised him to include this in his mitigation plea.

During the hearing, Sundar also mentioned that his visa was set to expire on March 31, but the prosecution assured him that he would be issued a special pass allowing him to remain in Singapore until the case was concluded. When he requested for his case to be expedited, the prosecution stated that they would need time to prepare the necessary legal documents before proceeding with his guilty plea. His next court appearance has been scheduled for April 17.

Criminal breach of trust is a serious offense in Singapore, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years in jail, a fine, or both. Cases like this highlight the importance of integrity, particularly for those in positions of trust and responsibility. Sundar’s actions not only breached professional ethics but also led to legal consequences that could impact his future.