NYC police arrested two men after they were seen emerging from a manhole near the hotel where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to stay for the United Nations General Assembly.
Kevin Rodriguez, 26, and Samuel Reveron, 25, were taken into custody on charges of conspiracy and trespassing after police were called to the scene at approximately 4:30 p.m. EST. They allegedly fled the manhole cover once officers approached, but were apprehended shortly after.
This episode follows a spate of incidents over recent months in which individuals have been spotted slipping into the city’s underground system, often in the aftermath of heavy rain, in a misguided attempt to recover valuables or scrap metal. NYPD has repeatedly warned that such activity is both illegal and hazardous, citing the risks of toxic gases, flooding and confined‑space accidents.
In 2025, a woman tragically lost her life after falling into an open manhole in Midtown Manhattan. The department has called on the public to never enter any part of the city's sewer network – a message underscored by the current arrests.
Given the sensitivity of the UN site and the high-profile nature of the upcoming assembly, the NYPD is conducting additional security sweeps in partnership with federal counterparts to prevent any further incidents.
