Two Arrested in NYC Sewers Searching for Gold Near Netanyahu's Hotel
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Two men were arrested in New York City for allegedly entering the sewer system to search for gold and valuables. One incident occurred near the hotel where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was staying during the UN General Assembly, though authorities and the suspect's lawyer downplayed any connection.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two men arrested for searching sewers for gold in New York City.
- The search occurred near Prime Minister Netanyahu's hotel during UN week.
- Suspects claimed they were looking for gold and valuables.
- Authorities and the suspect's lawyer deny any link to the UN event.
- Similar incidents of people entering sewers have been reported recently.
New York City authorities have arrested two men suspected of entering the city's sewer system in search of gold and valuables. One incident occurred near the hotel where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was staying during the UN General Assembly. Police stated that rumors of treasures hidden in the city's underground infrastructure fueled these searches. The two arrested individuals, Samuel Rebron, 25, and Kevin Rodriguez, both from Queens, face charges of trespassing. Investigators reportedly linked them to a group observed entering the sewer system, with four other individuals involved still unidentified.
Rebron told officers they were entering the sewers to look for "gold, anything of value" stuck in drains and pipes. The timing of the arrests, coinciding with world leaders gathering in New York for the UN event, led to heightened security sweeps by the NYPD and federal agencies. However, Rebron's lawyer, Brian Kennedy, dismissed any connection to the UN events or Netanyahu's visit, calling it "not really a case."
Recent months have seen multiple instances of people lifting manhole covers and descending into the underground network, sometimes equipped with waders, flashlights, and tools. One witness described seeing three individuals in waders and carrying flashlights, lifting a manhole cover and disappearing underground, likening their actions to the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."
Despite the rumors, experts familiar with New York's underground spaces suggest the chances of finding treasure are slim. Steve Duncan, a former investigator of the city's subterranean areas, told The New York Times that the most valuable item he found in over 100 sewer and tunnel explorations was an expired credit card. For city visitors, the phenomenon is seen as a bizarre urban curiosity rather than a new attraction. Entering the sewer system without authorization is illegal and carries significant risks due to the hazardous underground environment.