Recent Sewer Incidents Under Investigation in NYC

Law enforcement is investigating several recent incidents in which groups of individuals were seen entering or emerging from sewer manholes in New York City boroughs. No injuries, arrests, or evidence of threats or damage have been reported.

Chronology of Incidents

Queens Incident

Date and Time: May 5, 2025, at approximately 2:00 a.m.
Location: Astoria, Queens, near 20th Avenue and 36th Street.

Witnesses reported several people opening a manhole cover and entering the sewer.

Surveillance footage showed individuals carrying flashlights and wearing hip waders.

Brooklyn Incidents

First Brooklyn Incident: On May 8, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn, near McDonald Avenue and Colin Place. A witness reported eight people removing a manhole cover. The group emerged approximately three hours later and changed clothes beside parked cars.

Video shows a man in a white shirt and shorts removing the manhole cover, followed by seven men in coveralls climbing out.

Second Brooklyn Incident: Approximately two hours after the Gravesend report, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, near Heyward Street and Bedford Avenue. Police received a call about several people entering a manhole.

Video shows a man in a red shirt opening a manhole cover from underneath, with six people following, at least three carrying shovels. All wore or carried headlamps. The group resurfaced more than 2.5 hours later, entered a car, and drove away.

Investigation

The NYPD's Emergency Services Unit and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection inspected the sewer system.

No hazardous items, damage, or "nefarious" items were found, according to the NYPD.

A senior law enforcement official told NBC that one theory under consideration is that the individuals were searching for valuables that may have entered the sewage system.

It remains unclear whether the incidents are connected. Police have not stated the incidents are linked.

Official Statements

"The NYPD, to make sure there was not a threat to the public, sent their highly trained Emergency Services Unit officers into the sewer system to make sure nothing nefarious had been left behind by the individuals – nothing was found."
— NYPD statement, May 12

The NYPD has stated there is no threat to the public.

Witness Accounts

"Three random guys walking around in a strange suit, open the sewer, go in like Ninja Turtles. I was looking at them, they were looking at me... I could tell they were up to no good."
— Aki Jakupovic, Astoria witness

The investigation is ongoing.