Two men face charges after Manhattan manhole incident

Two men face charges after allegedly entering a New York City manhole near Park Avenue during the United Nations General Assembly, an episode that prompted police to conduct additional security sweeps in the area.

Samuel Reveron and Kevin Rodriguez were arrested Friday in connection with the incident near East 61st Street and Park Avenue. NBC News, citing a criminal complaint, reported that men were seen climbing out from underground at about 1:38 a.m. Wednesday. The Guardian, citing local outlet WABC, reported that three people emerged from the manhole at about 4:35 a.m. and fled north on Park Avenue.

The accounts also differ on the men’s ages and charges. NBC News identified Reveron as 25 and Rodriguez as 26 and said each was booked on two counts of trespassing. The Guardian, citing WABC, identified both as 25 and reported trespassing and conspiracy counts.

According to the complaint cited by NBC News, the men were seen getting back into vehicles at around 4 a.m. and driving together over the Queensboro Bridge. Automatic license plate readers recorded the vehicles’ identification and plate numbers. Reveron and Rodriguez owned the vehicles and identified themselves as the people who had entered the manhole, the complaint said. Authorities said the two described going underground together to look for valuables washed into storm drains and sewers.

The Guardian reported that the New York Post quoted Reveron as telling police: “We go into the sewer and look for valuables that get stuck in the storm drains and sewers, gold, anything of value.”

Brian Kennedy, Reveron’s attorney, disputed the allegation that his client entered the sewer. He told NBC News that, even if Reveron had gone underground, he had no intention of hurting anyone. “There’s no connection to the UN or the appearance of Netanyahu or any other kind of nefarious scheme,” Kennedy said. Rodriguez’s attorney declined to comment, NBC News reported.

The location drew particular attention while world leaders were in New York for the General Assembly. The manhole was near a hotel where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stayed on previous visits, though NBC News reported he did not stay there this week. Police said they were conducting additional security sweeps with a federal partner “out of an abundance of caution given the UN general assembly and the sensitivity of the location,” according to The Guardian.

NBC News reported that neither man has been charged in other sewer entries. Police said Wednesday’s incident fit the pattern of previous cases involving people entering sewers to look for valuables or scrap metal after storms. Earlier this year, videos and reports showed people emerging from manholes in Brooklyn, Queens and near Madison Square Garden.

The Guardian, citing WABC, reported that both men were released without having to post bond. Reveron received supervised release, while Rodriguez was released on his own recognizance.