NYPD Investigates 3 Sewer Break-Ins in May Across New York City
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 7
NYPD Investigates 3 Sewer Break-Ins in May Across New York City
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 7
Summary
Three separate groups were filmed entering New York City sewers through manholes in Queens and Brooklyn in May, prompting an NYPD intelligence division investigation.
The first incident happened at 2 a.m. on May 5 in Queens; two more entries were recorded on May 28 in south and north Brooklyn, with people seen using flashlights and hip waders.
Police said there is no public-safety threat for now, while the Department of Environmental Protection said inspections found infrastructure safe but warned sewer entry is illegal and can expose people to deadly gases, flooding and unstable surfaces.
Local outlets have speculated the intruders may be scavenging for valuables in the city's 7,400 miles of sewer pipes and 5,000 manholes, echoing past cases including three Brooklyn men arrested last year while allegedly searching for gold.