Barricades kept spectators away as police resumed the search in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, where the alleged abductor once worked.
Police had searched the site Wednesday, though they're not saying what they have found, if anything.
Pedro Hernandez, of Maple Shade, N.J., was charged earlier this year in Etan's death and remains held without bail. Hernandez was a stock clerk at the convenience store when Etan disappeared while heading to school.
A judge declared Etan dead in 2001. His body has never been found.
Prosecutors have said the 51-year-old Hernandez in May admitted killing Patz. His attorney has described Hernandez as bipolar and schizophrenic with a history of hallucinations.
His next court date is Oct. 1 as both sides continue to investigate the case.
