"Not Ninja Turtles? Police Investigate Group of Men Entering and Exiting New York Manhole"

Wearing Boots and Gloves, Men Enter the Sewer
Change Clothes After Emerging, Leave in Vehicles
No Links to Terrorism Found So Far

In Brooklyn, New York, a group of men was spotted entering a sewer through a manhole in the middle of the night and emerging several hours later. Police have begun an investigation into the exact circumstances, including the possibility that the men were "treasure hunters" searching for valuables in the sewer.

On June 2, Yonhap News TV, citing CBS New York and other sources, reported that police are investigating after a group of men was seen repeatedly entering and exiting a manhole in New York during the early morning hours.

A man is emerging from a manhole. Photo by CBS

The incident occurred in the early morning of May 30 around McDonald Avenue and Colleen Lane in Brooklyn. Surveillance footage showed at least seven men gathered around a manhole, using flashlights and vehicle headlights to descend underground one by one. Some of them appeared to be wearing boots and gloves. Another video captured the group emerging from the same manhole shortly after 2 a.m. It was reported that, after coming out, some of the men changed their clothes or were shirtless at the roadside.

Police responded to the scene after a report was made, but the men had already left. The New York Police Department (NYPD) is working to identify the individuals and determine their exact purpose. So far, there is no indication of links to terrorism. According to local reports, police sources are considering the possibility that the men could be so-called "treasure hunters" or urban explorers searching for lost items such as jewelry or coins in the sewer. However, police believe their actions may constitute illegal entry into the sewer, and, if identified, the men could face charges related to burglary and trespassing.

The incident occurred in the early morning of the 30th of last month around McDonald Avenue and Colin Lane in Brooklyn. Surveillance camera footage shows at least seven men gathered around a manhole, using flashlights and car lights to descend underground one by one. Photo by New York Post

Employees from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) also responded to the scene to inspect the sewer facilities for any damage. Authorities announced that, after searching the area, no threats to public safety or facility damage had been found as of now. The Department of Environmental Protection warned that not only is it illegal for the general public to enter the sewers, but it is also extremely dangerous. The inside of the sewer contains toxic gases, unstable ground, sudden flooding, and the risk of suffocation in confined spaces, so the public should never enter manholes, drainage pipes, or catch basins under any circumstances.

The police stated that a similar incident had occurred earlier on the same morning in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn. According to police, eight people entered a manhole near Hayward Street and Bedford Avenue around 1 a.m. and emerged again at approximately 3:40 a.m. Authorities are investigating whether the two incidents are connected. CBS New York also reported that in April of last year, individuals who entered the Brooklyn sewer were arrested and charged with burglary and property damage.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.