Eyewitness | Two reckless stunt experts Ivan Kuznetsov and Angela Nicolaou climbed to the top of New York’s iconic Empire State Building spire and proposed.
CNN reported on the 1st (local time) that the two men, who sneaked through a restricted area in the heat and reached 442 meters above the ground, were eventually arrested by police.
The men and women wearing masks were identified as Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, according to law enforcement officials. Two New York Police Emergency Services (ESU) agents climbed four ladders to the spire and brought them safely to the ground, and the two were arrested without much resistance.
Those living in New Jersey are being investigated on charges of reckless endangerment, property damage, and unauthorized intrusion, including burglary, which means breaking into or staying in a building with criminal intent.
The two climbed to the top of the antenna tower and unfurled a banner with the phrase “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Afterwards, Nicolau announced the proposal to the world on his Instagram, posting a photo of his hand wearing an engagement ring against the backdrop of downtown New York.
Kuznetsov and Nicolau, who also work under the name “Ivan Beerkus,” are famous for posing narrowly on top of skyscrapers around the world.
They are also the main characters of the Netflix documentary ‘Skywalker: A Love Story’ released in 2024. Netflix describes them as “a reckless influencer who risks romance, freedom, and life to climb a huge skyscraper.”
Authorities strongly warned that their actions could lead to serious copycat crimes. Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said, “The last thing the heads of the Empire State Building want is for this to be a target of this kind of activity. We can’t let others see this and try the same thing,” he said.
New York’s iconic skyscrapers have long been targeted by intruders despite their strong security. In the past, France’s Alain Robert, dubbed “Spider-Man,” climbed the Empire State Building, and in 1974, Philip Petty made a world headlines when he walked a tightrope between the World Trade Center’s twin buildings.
Meanwhile, the antenna of the Empire State Building, where the couple climbed this time, is an important facility that transmits signals from almost every local TV and radio station in New York. Authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of how they were able to reach the top through the public access control area.(*)
