NYPD Arrests Two Men for Sewer Trespass Near Netanyahu's Hotel

Key points

• Kevin Rodriguez, 26, and Samuel Reveron, 25, were arrested on Thursday after surveillance footage showed them exiting a manhole at Park Avenue and 61st Street early Wednesday morning.
• The manhole is located near the hotel where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was staying to address the UN General Assembly, prompting heightened security measures.
• The suspects admitted to investigators that they entered the sewer system to search for valuables, such as jewelry and scrap metal, that had been swept away by recent storms.
• The suspects were charged with criminal trespass and conspiracy; they pleaded not guilty at a Friday arraignment and were subsequently released from custody.
• The NYPD is still searching for a third individual seen in the same video exiting the manhole, while federal partners conducted additional security sweeps due to the sensitive location.

Background

This incident is part of a recurring pattern of underground incursions in New York City. Earlier in 2026, the NYPD investigated similar cases, including a video of three people emerging from a manhole near Penn Station in August. Authorities have noted that these individuals often seek out valuables or scrap metal in the sewer system, a trend that has prompted increased surveillance and public safety reviews.

How outlets are covering it

While all outlets confirm the arrests and the motive of seeking valuables, they differ in emphasis. FOX 5 highlights the suspects' admission of seeking jewelry and notes the ongoing search for a third person. CNN provides detailed insight into the investigation, describing how detectives used license plate readers and door-to-door canvassing to identify the suspects, and notes that the case initially raised national security concerns due to its proximity to the UN. BBC focuses on the broader context of multiple sewer incidents following storms and notes that the suspects pleaded not guilty in court, contrasting with the admissions reported by other sources.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the intersection of routine petty crime with high-profile security events. Although the motive was financial rather than political, the location near a world leader's hotel triggered a significant response from the NYPD and the US Secret Service, highlighting the city's vulnerability to opportunistic intrusions during major international gatherings.

What to watch

The NYPD continues its search for the third suspect seen in the surveillance footage. Authorities are also conducting additional security sweeps in the area with federal partners to ensure the safety of the UN General Assembly attendees. No further charges have been announced for the two arrested men at this time.