Watch: Group uncovers manhole, disappears into New York sewers; residents want to know why

QUEENS, N.Y. (WPIX) — Three men were captured on surveillance video approaching a manhole in the Queens, New York, neighborhood of Astoria and working together to pull off the cover with an unknown object.

A white vehicle is also shown pulling in front of them and seeming to shine its headlights on the group.

After pulling up the cover, the three people, wearing overalls, descend into the sewers, one by one, while holding a flashlight. The last person replaces the manhole cover on their way down, and the white vehicle drives away.

Aki Jakupovic, the owner of Aki Autocare, said his shop’s surveillance cameras recorded the group in early May. He said he couldn’t venture a guess as to what the people did below ground but worried they were “up to no good.”

“They were dressed like the Mario Brothers, you know what I mean,” Jakupova said, referring to the video game characters. “They had overalls on. … Very strange.”

One Astoria resident said, “I want to know what they’re looking for down there.”

Police are still on the hunt for the three people, as well as two other groups who were seen going in and out of the sewers in Brooklyn, New York,........

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