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Manhole mystery grips NYC as 3 more men seen emerging from Brooklyn sewer, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ben Feuerherd
Published Sep 25, 2026
Modified Sep 25, 2026
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Ben Feuerherd Gothamist
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ben Feuerherd
Published Sep 25, 2026
Modified Sep 25, 2026
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The manhole mystery gripping New York City continues as police announced that three more men were spotted climbing out of the sewer system in Brooklyn early Friday morning.
NYPD officials said a witness called 911 to report the incident around 4:30 a.m., and directed officers to the intersection of Bay Ridge Parkway and 17th Avenue in Bensonhurst.
The caller reported seeing three men emerge from the manhole in brightly colored clothing, but by the time police arrived at the scene, the manhole was closed, officials said.
Investigators were canvassing for surveillance video, and police did not make any immediate arrests.
The incident comes just after police arrested two men for climbing out of a manhole on the Upper East Side on Wednesday – an event that led police to step up security in the area, given its proximity to dignitaries visiting for the U.N. General Assembly.
Officials said police took 26-year-old Kevin Rodriguez of Flushing, Queens, into custody around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, alongside 25-year-old Samuel Reveron of Elmhurst, Queens. Both were arrested in the NYPD’s 13th precinct, which includes neighborhoods in south Midtown.
They were charged with trespass and conspiracy, according to the NYPD. Information for their lawyers was not immediately available early Friday.
The Bensonhurst sighting is the latest in a string of reports of people climbing out of manholes over the last few months, from Penn Station to Gravesend and Williamsburg. The incidents have caused major speculation about the motives of the subterranean climbers, many of whom have been captured on surveillance footage as they emerge and disappear into the night.
Residents in the neighborhood recalled Friday that another group of men were arrested after climbing into the sewer in April 2025.
Louis Venturelli, the owner of Panino Rustico on 17th Avenue, said he was interviewed by television news reporters when the incident happened last year.
Venturelli and his employee Janine Vitiello, 27, said they weren’t too concerned about people climbing into the sewers because they believe they are treasure hunters.
“I just can't believe they haven't given up. I guess there must be something down there that we don't know about,” Vitiello said.
Manyee Chan, who is visiting her mother at her home near the intersection of 17th Avenue and Bay Ridge Parkway, said she saw two police cars outside when she woke up around 5:30 a.m. Friday.
Chan said she’s concerned about people climbing in the sewers, especially because it has happened several times across the city.
“That’s kind of scary actually. It’s even more scary, just the fact that it’s happened more than just this one time,” she said.
On Friday afternoon, workers from the city’s Department of Environmental Protection came to the intersection and opened several manholes to inspect them.
In response to the Upper East Side incident, NYPD spokesperson Brad Weekes said people have been known to enter the sewer system “to look for valuables and other scrap metal after a storm.”
This story has been updated to include additional reporting.
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Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Ben Feuerherd
Ben Feuerherd covers public safety and policing for WNYC and Gothamist. He previously covered federal courts for The New York Post and The Messenger. His work has also appeared in POLITICO, the Daily Beast and NBC New York. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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