New York City police are investigating a series of incidents after videos surfaced showing groups of men climbing into and out of the city's sewer network in Brooklyn and Queens.

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Authorities believe the individuals may be searching for valuables beneath the streets, according to US media reports citing police sources. Investigators have not confirmed whether the same group is involved in all of the cases.

Surveillance Footage Raises Questions

Several videos recorded in recent weeks show men removing manhole covers before descending into the sewer system. In one clip, a group is seen entering through a manhole and emerging several hours later.

The unusual activity has prompted an ongoing police investigation as officials work to identify those involved and determine their motives.

Police Respond to Reports

Last week, officers received reports of unidentified individuals lifting manhole covers and entering the sewer system.

According to the New York Police Department, the suspects later left the area in an unidentified vehicle.

“The individuals then fled the location in an unknown vehicle to parts unknown,” the department told the BBC.

Police said no injuries were reported. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active.

Officials Warn of Serious Risks

City officials stressed that entering the sewer network is both unlawful and highly dangerous.

A spokesperson for New York City's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) warned that sewers contain a range of hazards, including toxic gases, unstable surfaces, flooding dangers and confined spaces that can quickly become life-threatening.

The department urged members of the public not to enter any sewer-related infrastructure, including pipes, drains, catch basins, manholes or outfalls.

‘Treasure Hunters’ Suspected

Police sources told CBS News that the men seen in the videos are believed to be urban explorers or self-described “treasure hunters” searching for valuables that may have ended up in the sewer system.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed that theory, and investigators are continuing to examine the incidents.

If identified and arrested, the individuals could face burglary-related charges.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 June 2026

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Looking for teenage mutant turtles

They maybe turd burglars.

Just now, Rams86 said:

They maybe turd burglars.

By the way did they come across Ed Norton of The Honey Mooners fame he worked in the sewers.

Sounds like you guys never heard about the albino alligators down there.

Planting explosive devices?

A suitcase Nuke?

5? Levels of subway tunnels...

Maybe they were modern day toshers - Victorian sewer treasure hunters?

2 hours ago, pgrahmm said:

Planting explosive devices?

A suitcase Nuke?

5? Levels of subway tunnels...

We can only hope.

Great story! Those cast-iron manhole covers weigh a few hundred pounds!

Most of the hidden, abandoned places in NYC have odd people living in them. Sometimes just quirky, others dangerous. I loved exploring them as a kid.

Not sewers, though. Actual sewers contain sewage and would be pretty disgusting. Have you seen the trustee prisoners here cleaning Bangkok's sewers?

Perhaps they were in storm drains. If it rains at all, downing is a real possibility. Not burlary, of course, but they'll make something up if they catch them!

A subterranean Pokemon hunt?

These guys seem kind of nerdy, with safety vests and looking like Mario. I would think if they were up to no-good it would show in their behavior. First thing that came to mind was the people (mostly kids, I think) who live in big cities around the world and go to high places at night and take pics to post on the net (anyone know the url?), so maybe some kind of nerdy sewer/internet thing?

When I was a kid it was a dare to walk on the subway tracks.

I did it once, walked along the tracks from one station to another. I checked the route before from the train window. Yes, NYC subways have a third rail.

But I couldn't tell anybody back then because I knew they'd rat on me.

Never been in the sewer myself. Old NYC nursery rhyme:

By the sewer I live

by the sewer I'll die

some people say it's murder

but it's sewer-side

13 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Perhaps they were in storm drains.

NYC has single wastewater system. It wasn't until I left, and years later, that I found out most places don't. Also just recently learned NYC does not allow electric garbage disposals in the sinks, the sewage plumbing can't handle it (they say).

Las Vegas supposedly has a very interesting run-off system, and there are actually communities down there -- a few years ago the town was severely flooded, I would guess that changed things a bit for those who lived down there.