Video shows group of men climbing out of a Brooklyn sewer manhole
Several men were caught on video entering a sewer manhole in Brooklyn and then emerging from it hours later Friday morning.
Now, police are trying to determine what exactly they were doing underground.
Caught on camera
CBS New New York obtained video showing what appears to be a group of at least seven men gathered around a manhole on McDonald Avenue and Colin Lane in Flatbush late Thursday night. Some of the men appear to be wearing waders and gloves.
One-by-one, the seven descended below ground, using flashlights as their guide and cars to light up the area.
Another camera captured the seven men emerging from the same manhole just after 2 a.m. Friday.
They appeared to change clothes after climbing out. A few appeared to be shirtless on the side of the road.
In the video, what seems to be the sound of a manhole cover being replaced can be heard before the group leaves the area.
NYPD investigating
Police said a 911 call brought officers to the scene, but the men were gone before they arrived.
Later Friday afternoon, the NYPD returned to the area to investigate.
Crews from the Department of Environmental Protection were also on scene. They lowered what appeared to be a camera with a light into the manhole as they inspected the sewer system.
A DEP spokesperson said they are inspecting the sewer infrastructure in the area to make sure nothing was damaged.
"Entering the sewer system is both illegal and extremely dangerous. Sewers can contain numerous hazards, including noxious and potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and confined spaces. For these reasons, members of the public should never enter a pipe, drain, catch basin, manhole, or outfall," the spokesperson added, in part.
Police said there is no apparent link to terrorism, and they are actively working to identify and find the men seen in the video. They could face burglary charges if caught.
Similar incident in Williamsburg
The NYPD said a similar incident was reported in Williamsburg.
According to police, eight individuals were seen entering a manhole near Heyward Street and Bedford Avenue around 1 a.m. Friday, then exiting around 3:40 a.m. before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
Police said they were "alerted well after the fact," and no arrests have been made.
The NYPD said it is unclear what the men were doing after entering the manhole, and it is unknown if this is connected to the Flatbush incident.
These incidents are similar to one that took place in April 2025. In that incident, three people were eventually taken into custody, charged with burglary and criminal mischief.
