Arrests made after men climb through manhole in Brooklyn: NYPD

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) – The NYPD is now reviewing surveillance video of a bizarre incident in Brooklyn.

The video obtained by PIX11 News shows five people wearing safety vests stopping traffic on 17th Avenue near 82nd Street in Bensonhurst.

The crew then uses metal tools to lift a manhole cover, and at least 3 people enter the sewer system. Police say the last person who climbed in then pulled the manhole cover back over the hole as 26-year-old Shawan Thompson sat in a folding chair and kept watch.

Residents in the neighborhood became suspicious and called 9-1-1 around five o'clock Monday night. It took several hours for officers to locate the people who had gone into the sewer.  Police arrested Thompson, as well as 25-year-old Zion McKensie and 39-year-old Willie Green. They have been charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal facilitation, and criminal mischief.

The other two people seen in the video have not been caught.

The NYPD is investigating why the crew entered the sewer system. Several residents in the area tell PIX11 News that detectives who returned to the scene said they were investigating whether the suspects were searching traps for lost jewelry.

Janine Vitiello, who works nearby, said, "It's very surprising, but you know what, the criminals are very smart these days."

Lou Venturelli, who also works nearby, said the suspects "needed some more cones and stuff like that to make them look more professional.

This neighborhood is always looking out for each other, so when you see something like that, 4 people jumping in a sewer and one closing it, it doesn't look right."