UMVA has learned that a bizarre series of events has been unfolding in New York City, where multiple men have been spotted emerging from manhole covers across Brooklyn in the middle of the night.
The mysterious individuals, often moving in groups, have been entering and exiting the sewer system that runs underneath the city, sparking concerns and curiosity among locals. At least seven people were seen jumping into NYC's slimy underground tunnels near McDonald Avenue and Colin Place in Gravesend at about 11pm on Thursday, only to re-emerge from the same manhole covers just two hours later.
Video footage shared by a local news outlet showed the men, who aren't affiliated with public works teams, entering and exiting the sewer system. Another eight men were seen removing a manhole cover and entering the sewer system at Hayward Street and Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg at 1am, before popping their heads out of the holes at 3:40am and escaping into a car.
The men have been seen holding flashlights and wearing hip waders – extended boots that strap over the belt. Witnesses have described the scene as "surreal," with one onlooker likening the men to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or the Super Mario Bros. due to their unusual attire and nighttime sewer explorations.
Police believe that the individuals might be hunting for treasure that got flushed into the sewage system, but locals are skeptical and fear that these 'mole men' might be crawling into the sewage system to sneak into banks and shops on the surface. Entering a sewage system is illegal, and the suspects could face burglary charges.
The New York Police Department conducted a thorough investigation of New York's sewer system and found that the area is safe and free of hazards. No arrests or injuries have been reported so far. This incident isn't the first time videos of people emerging from under Brooklyn have raised eyebrows, as similar footage went viral in 2024 of Orthodox Jews appearing from tunnels surrounding a synagogue.
