The climbers, identified as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, were arrested and charged
NEW YORK (WABC) — A couple wearing black climbed to the top of the Empire State Building's transmitter, and by the time they climbed back down, they were engaged, and then arrested.
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, were hit with numerous charges following their stunt — including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, violation of local laws, possession of burglar's tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
They were walked out of an NYPD police precinct in Midtown on Wednesday night.
Hours earlier, Nikolau and Kuznetsov held a pro-peace banner at the very top of the spire, and the couple shared some kisses just after noon.
It appeared to read, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace."
Their banner is a take on a quote frequently attributed to guitarist Jimi Hendrix, but actually spoken by 19th-century British politician William Gladstone.
Police took some time to attempt to talk them down, but they apparently had a mission.
After spending some time at the top, the couple started climbing down a short time later.
Then, Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau, pulling out a ring. After saying, "Yes," Nikolau admired her new engagement ring and wore it as she climbed down.
The couple also captured their adventure with their own camera and posted it for the world to see, including images of the proposal and ring.
At least two members of the NYPD's highly trained Emergency Service Unit were harnessed in and climbed up to meet the suspects halfway in the spire, and placed them into custody just before 1 p.m.
The NYPD released body camera footage of the officers arresting Nikolau and Kuznetsov.
One of the members who helped with the rescue just graduated from ESU school on Monday.
The ESU members were never exposed to the elements while performing the rescue and remained inside the spire structure the entire time. They used extenders that they commonly use in confined spaces and bridges as they guided the couple down to safety.
The NYPD is now reviewing surveillance from the Empire State Building. They believe the duo entered through a locked maintenance hatch on the 102nd-floor observation deck and had likely been observing staff movements. How they got the door open is now a major part of the investigation.
Julie Morris was on the observation deck when she spotted someone going through what appeared to be an off-limits area.
"Well, I was on the top, the very top, along come these two people. Opened the mesh. Assumed they worked there and nobody stopped them," Morris said.
The dangerous stunt also forced some people to evacuate the building.
"They're just keeping us inside, but they let us out for maybe two minutes," said witness Grant Staub. "I got a few videos and pictures of the people up there, but then a few cops came out and immediately made us go inside."
Dozens of tourists could be seen on the observation deck from NewsCopter 7.
"At first, it was kind of like comical and seemed a little bit wild and crazy. And then I'll be honest, once you're out on the observation deck, I was like, I feel like we shouldn't be out here. It didn't really seem like super safe," said witness Laura Staub.
There were also tourists waiting to reach the observation deck who never made it.
"We tried seeing something, but from the 86th floor, it's kind of hard," said witness Rebecca Barbosa. "We just saw the commotion and the NYPD coming up. And then we were like, 'yeah, we better, I guess we better get off.'"
The people working inside the building also watched it unfold before their eyes as the suspects were escorted out.
Nikolau and Kuznetsov are known for their daredevil climbs around the world. In fact, they were profiled in the 2024 documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story," currently available on Netflix.
In a statement, the Empire State Building wrote, "There was at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building Observation Deck guests. 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."
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.
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