Couple who scaled Empire State Building with banner now face 8 charges
The climbers, identified as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, are due in court in Lower Manhattan on Thursday.
NEW YORK -- A daredevil couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner on top of its spire Wednesday afternoon, taking their love to new heights -- and jail.
Now, back on the ground, both are facing multiple charges after being taken into custody, according to police.
The climbers, identified as 33-year-old Angela Nikolau and 32-year-old Ivan Kuznetsov of Moscow, are due in court in Lower Manhattan on Thursday.
Nikolau and Kuznetsov, who have gained an online following for their death-defying skyscraper climbs around the world, stayed on top of the skyscraper for several minutes as cameras rolled on the action before coming down on the spire, the NYPD said.
Kuznetsov, who is also known as Ivan Beerkus, then appeared to propose to his longtime girlfriend before they were taken into custody.
The lovebirds then spent the first night of their engagement in separate holding cells.
Now, police are trying to figure out how they did it.
"They didn't just stumble into that hatch. There was what we would call pre-observational surveillance. Someone cased the joint if you will," said Greg Sanfilippo, Vice President, Doyle Security Services.
Both face multiple charges -- including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, violation of a local law, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct and possession of burglar's tools -- according to police.
The black banner appeared to reference a Jimi Hendrix quote and said in white letters, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."
The banner has been recovered, police said.
An NYPD helicopter was sent and the building's observation deck was cleared of visitors as police arrived.
The observation deck was reopened later in the afternoon.
The top of the building's spire is 1,454 feet above the ground.
It was not immediately clear how the couple got into position to free climb the metal structure that services the spire, broadcast antenna and red anti-collision beacon atop the building.
A spokesperson for the Empire State Building said in a statement to ABC News that there was at no time danger to the building's tenants or visitors.
"It is to be emphasized that the Empire State Building Observation Deck, atop the World's Most Famous Building in the center of New York City, does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals," the spokesman said in a statement.
The Empire State Building's rules prohibit masks and costumes.
The observation deck was reopened later in the afternoon on Wednesday.
They were featured in a 2024 Netflix documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story." The film showcased the couple's climb of Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, the world's second tallest building at 2,227 feet.
The Russian couple have frequently posted photos of their stunts on their social media pages. In many of their posts, they are seen standing and posing at the edge of buildings from extreme heights.
Some of their posts show them hugging and kissing while on top of buildings.
Nikolau and Beerkus appeared to chronicle their climb up the Empire State Building on social media Wednesday and posted close-up images of the proposal from the spire and the engagement ring.
Daredevils have previously climbed the antenna and other parts of the Empire State Building. Those ascents have largely been unauthorized, but actor and musician Jared Leto was allowed to climb up to the base of the antenna from the 86th floor in 2023 to promote a tour.
The couple's arraignment is set to be held in Lower Manhattan.
