Two arrested in New York City after emerging from manholes in 'mole people' reports

Two men have been arrested in New York City after a series of reports that people were climbing out of manholes across the city, in incidents that led to comparisons with so-called "mole people" living beneath the streets.

The men, identified as Kevin Rodriguez and Samuel Reveron, were booked by police following the reports. Officers said the pair are suspected of searching storm drains for valuables that had been washed down from street level into the sewer system.

The arrests follow a string of incidents in which residents and passers-by reported seeing people emerge from manholes late at night in various parts of the city, prompting concern and curiosity in equal measure. New York's extensive underground network of sewers, subway tunnels and utility conduits has long been the subject of stories about people living or working beneath the streets, though authorities have not confirmed any connection between the arrested men and long-term underground habitation.

Police have not released further details of the charges the two men face, and it remains unclear how many separate incidents are linked to the case or what, if anything, was recovered from the drains. Investigators are continuing to look into the reports.

The case has drawn attention to the condition and use of New York City's storm drain and sewer infrastructure, much of which runs beneath busy streets and connects to the wider stormwater system. Authorities did not immediately respond to requests for further comment on the arrests.