A skyscraper-scaling daredevil informed police that he and his girlfriend climbed the Empire State Constructing’s antenna and unfurled a banner about love and peace as a result of he needed to “do one thing particular” for his or her engagement, prosecutors stated Thursday on the couple’s arraignment on felony reckless endangerment, housebreaking and different fees.
The couple, who go by Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, stated little as they left courtroom, although Beerkus responded to a journalist’s query concerning the stunt by saying: “We consider in love.”
Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau go away courtroom in Manhattan on July 2, 2026.
Authorities stated the 2 — who had been the topic of the 2024 Netflix documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story ” about their “rooftopping” exploits and budding romance — created not solely a spectacle however a hazard by ascending the famed skyscraper’s broadcast antenna Wednesday.
After reaching the highest, 1,454 toes above midtown Manhattan, the climbers displayed a black banner studying: “When the ability of affection beats the love of energy the world is aware of peace,” information helicopter video confirmed.
Then they collected the banner and descended to a barely decrease ledge, the place an apparently profitable marriage proposal unfolded. Nikolau posted pictures of the escapade on her social media accounts, together with a photograph that modeled an engagement-style ring above a fowl’s-eye view of Manhattan.
Police waited a couple of half-hour for the antenna to be powered down earlier than Emergency Companies Unit officers began ascending and ultimately intercepted the climbers on their method down, in line with the criticism, which famous the hazard to officers who climbed about 1,250 toes above the bottom. The courtroom doc recognized the 2 by their formal names, Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov.
“Skywalkers: A Love Story” follows Beerkus, now 32, and Nikolau, 33, as they make usually unauthorized ascents of tall buildings, typically posing as building staff to sneak in.
The courtroom criticism stated police discovered a damaged lock on a safety door on the Empire State Constructing’s restricted-access 104th ground, which offers entry to the antenna. The very best public ground is the 102nd, the place there’s an commentary deck. Going increased requires a key card, in line with the courtroom criticism.
The Empire State Constructing’s administration has referred to as the climb “unauthorized” however hasn’t answered questions on what interactions, if any, the daredevils had with safety staff. Guests to the skyscraper are screened and informed to not carry giant packages, sports activities tools, costumes or masks, amongst different objects.
How excessive up did they climb?
Beerkus and Nikolau had been launched with out bail, in accordance with New York legal guidelines that limit when financial bail will be set. Their lawyer, Jason Krinsky, stated exterior courtroom that when prosecutors present proof, he and his purchasers would assess it and decide subsequent steps.
“What a method to suggest — one thing you possibly can solely dream of,” Krinsky stated. “So you have to, you realize, give him some credit score for that.”
Different daredevils have climbed the antenna and different components of the Empire State Constructing. These ascents have largely been unauthorized, however actor and musician Jared Leto was allowed to climb as much as the bottom of the antenna from the 86th ground in 2023 to advertise a tour.
The brazen trespassers have been recognized, however how did they stand up to the highest of the Empire State Constructing’s antenna? NBC New York’s Jessica Cunnington and Jonathan Dienst report.
