Indian national charged over lost AirPods: 'I urge your honour to send me back to my country'
Nadine Chua
The Straits Times
March 7, 2025
An auxiliary police officer who kept a passenger's lost AirPods earphones at Changi Airport was charged with criminal breach of trust on March 7.
Indian national Sundar Aravinth, 29, allegedly deposited his own unbranded earbuds, instead of the AirPods, at a lost-and-found office.
According to court documents, he was entrusted with one white AirPods Pro worth $335 and allegedly dishonestly converted the property to his own use.
He said he intends to plead guilty and will not be engaging a defence lawyer.
Speaking through an interpreter, Sundar told District Judge Lim Tse Haw: "I committed the offence without considering the consequences. I urge your honour to send me back to my country."
The judge replied: "You may say this in your mitigation plea."
Sundar added that his visa will expire on March 31, but the prosecution said he will be issued with a special pass to remain in Singapore.
When he asked if his case can be expedited, Sundar was told that the prosecution will need time to prepare the documents relating to his plea.
His case was adjourned to April 17.
The police said on March 6 that they were alerted to a case of suspected theft on Feb 28, at about 5.35pm.
Investigations revealed that a passenger left behind his AirPods on the plane he was on.
The item was found by a cabin crew member and handed over to Sundar, who was on duty at Terminal 2.
He then allegedly decided to keep it for his own use.
The police said: "He provided a photograph of his personal unbranded earbuds to the lost-and-found office and handed them over instead of the victim's AirPods."
When the passenger went to collect his earphones, he discovered that they were not his.
Sundar's company carried out an internal investigation, and lodged a police report after finding out that he had taken the item.
He was arrested, and the gadget was returned to the owner.
Those convicted of criminal breach of trust can be jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both.
