Two individuals were charged after scaling the Empire State Building in Manhattan and accessing restricted areas during an unauthorized climb on Wednesday night, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday in New York City criminal court.
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32, who live in East Orange, New Jersey, reportedly broke through a security door on the building’s 104th floor before ascending the broadcast antenna reaching approximately 1,400 to 1,500 feet above ground level. The complaint states the antenna door’s lock was damaged, with repair costs estimated at around $2,000.
The couple, originally from Russia, unfurled a banner bearing a message promoting love—“When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace”—and announced their engagement at the top of the landmark. News helicopters captured the event, which drew significant media attention before police arrested them.
Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office described the stunt as “extreme risk-taking behavior,” emphasizing that it posed dangers not only to the climbers but also to New Yorkers and first responders. NYPD officers with the Emergency Services Unit had to wait approximately 30 minutes for the antenna’s high-frequency radio signals to power down before initiating their arrest, citing potential harm from the broadcast emissions.
The couple appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday, facing charges including burglary and reckless endangerment. They were released under supervised conditions and are slated to return for a court hearing in August.
Their attorney, Jason Krinsky, argued that the charges were excessive, contending that the climbers endangered only themselves. He pointed to a hexagonal platform beneath the antenna that would have prevented a fall from becoming fatal. “This was a message of love, not a message of hatred or violence,” Krinsky said, adding that prosecutors intended to make an example of the couple.
Nikolau and Beerkus have a history of scaling urban structures worldwide, often sharing their feats on social media. They were the subjects of a 2024 documentary titled “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” which chronicled their relationship and daring pursuits.
Following their court appearance, the couple left holding hands, still dressed in the black athleisure worn during the incident. Outside the courthouse, Beerkus confirmed their engagement at the Empire State Building’s peak, noting that the engagement ring had been seized by authorities.
As they departed, a group of reporters trailed them to the Chambers Street subway station, where the couple paused on the steps to share a prolonged kiss in front of cameras.