A couple has been arrested after carrying out a daring and unauthorized climb to the top of the Empire State Building’s antenna in New York City, where they staged a marriage proposal more than 1,000 feet above the ground.
The pair, identified by police as Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov (also known as Ivan Beerkus), 32, are well-known social media daredevils who specialize in “rooftopping”—illegally climbing skyscrapers and other tall structures without safety equipment.
Banner, Proposal and Arrest
According to authorities, the couple climbed the building’s restricted antenna area after allegedly gaining unauthorized access beyond the public observation decks. Once at the top, they unfurled a banner that read:
“When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”
Moments later, Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau, who accepted. The pair celebrated with hugs and photographs before being confronted and arrested by officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) as they descended.
Multiple Criminal Charges Filed
Prosecutors charged the couple with several offences, including:
- Burglary
- Criminal trespass
- Reckless endangerment
- Criminal mischief
- Possession of burglary tools
Investigators are also trying to determine how the climbers managed to bypass the building’s extensive security systems and reach the antenna without being detected.
Famous for High-Risk Stunts
Nikolau and Kuznetsov have built a large online following through videos of dangerous climbs on skyscrapers around the world. Their exploits were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
Following their arrest, the Empire State Building’s management emphasized that visitors wishing to propose can do so safely through the building’s official proposal packages rather than attempting dangerous and illegal stunts.
Key Highlights
- A couple was arrested after climbing the Empire State Building’s antenna to stage a marriage proposal.
- The climbers were identified as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov.
- They unfurled a peace-themed banner before the proposal.
- The pair now face multiple criminal charges, including burglary and reckless endangerment.
- Authorities are investigating how they gained access to the restricted area.
The Story in Nigerian Pidgin
Police Arrest Couple Wey Climb Empire State Building Antenna Go Propose
Two social media daredevils, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, don land for police custody after dem illegally climb the antenna of the Empire State Building for New York to do marriage proposal more than 1,000 feet above ground. After dem display one banner about love and peace, Ivan kneel down propose, and Angela accept before police arrest both of them.
Police don charge the couple with offences including burglary, criminal trespass and reckless endangerment. Authorities also dey investigate how dem take pass security enter the restricted area. The pair don become popular online because of the risky buildings wey dem dey climb without safety equipment.
