Two men have been arrested after they were allegedly filmed climbing out of a manhole on New York’s Upper East Side, close to the hotel where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to stay during the United Nations General Assembly.
Kevin Rodriguez, 26, and Samuel Reveron, 25, were charged with trespassing and conspiracy, according to the New York Police Department. Investigators are still searching for a third person seen emerging from the sewer.
The incident took place early on Wednesday, 23 September, near Park Avenue and East 61st Street. Police received a 911 call at about 4.35am after witnesses reported that three people had climbed out of the sewer before leaving in two vehicles travelling north along Park Avenue.
Surveillance footage was used to identify Rodriguez and Reveron, who were arrested on Friday. Police have not said what the men were doing underground or whether they entered through the sewer network or a nearby access point.
The location prompted additional security checks because of the United Nations gathering and its proximity to Netanyahu’s hotel. The NYPD and federal partners searched the area, but officials said nothing suspicious was found.
Police said there was no indication that the incident was connected to the Israeli prime minister, the United Nations or any specific security threat. The department said similar cases in recent months appeared to involve people entering the sewer system in search of valuables or scrap metal, particularly after storms.
The arrests follow a series of reported incidents in which people have been seen entering or leaving New York’s sewer system. The investigation remains under way.
