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See the full story · 2 sourcesSewer Group of men spotted opening another manhole cover, entering sewer in New York | Video By Krista McNally Friday, August 28, 2026 11:53AM Krista McNally has the details. LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- In the latest manhole mystery in the New York area, a group of people was spotted opening a manhole cover early Thursday on Long Island and descending into the sewer system, police said.
The descent of the five people just after 1 a.m. Thursday in Wantagh was caught on surveillance video, obtained exclusively by our sister station WABC.
Wantagh residents who were shown the video are concerned about what the group was up to down there.
"There's a level of concern, but you can't stop people from doing what they want to do," a resident said.
According to the Nassau County Police, two witnesses saw the group of men enter the sewer system through a manhole at the intersection of Wantagh Avenue and Jerusalem Avenue.
They then replaced the cover once inside. There is no word on a potential motive and the investigation is ongoing.
"I don't know how they are going through the sewers though and finding their way through the sewer lines," a resident said.
"It's kind of dangerous; I don't know what they have in mind," another resident added.
Multiple units responded to the scene, including police and the Wantagh Fire Department.
Police said they did a thorough investigation in the sewer system and did not find anything or anyone still inside.
"It's kind of crazy to be honest with you. I have seen it on the news recently," a resident said.
Similar incidents have happened recently in New York City, including t hree people who were caught on camera climbing out of a manhole near Penn Station wearing overalls and headlamps.
Earlier this summer, s urveillance video captured small groups exiting the sewer system in Brooklyn and Queens as well.
City officials stressed that entering manholes is both illegal and dangerous.
"These young adults are out of their minds, the things they do today," another resident said. "I don't know what their intention is, but it can't be good."
In the city, detectives have stated that they believe it may be migrants searching for anything of value.
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