US3 min(s) read
Published 08:46 02 Jul 2026 GMT
Bodycam footage shows the moment NYPD confronted a couple who climbed to the very top of New York City's Empire State Building.
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32, scaled the iconic skyscraper's 1,454-foot spire before unfurling a large banner that read: "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."
The extreme stunt ended with Beerkus dropping to one knee to propose. After Nikolau accepted, the couple shared a kiss before beginning their descent.
The Russian nationals remained atop the building for at least 10 minutes before officers intercepted them.
Bodycam footage captures police confrontation
A video released by the New York Police Department shows members of the Emergency Service Unit climbing the antenna's interior ladders before reaching the couple.
As officers approached, one could be heard saying: "How you doing? You can't be up here!" Nikolau then responds: "I'm OK."
The couple cooperated with officers and climbed down calmly before being taken into custody once they reached the ground.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch later shared the footage on social media, writing: "A glimpse into the work of our Emergency Services Unit. God bless these officers."
The NYPD confirmed that both climbers had been arrested.
According to BBC News, Nikolau and Beerkus face many charges, such as burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, trespass, and disorderly conduct.
During the operation, the Empire State Building reportedly shut down its high-frequency antenna transmission to prevent the couple from being exposed to dangerous radio waves.
Officials have not confirmed exactly how the pair, who were dressed entirely in black and wearing masks despite masks being banned for visitors, managed to access the building.
However, preliminary information obtained by CBS from law enforcement sources suggests they went through a maintenance hatch on the tower's 103rd floor, which is usually used for water tower maintenance.
A spokesperson for the Empire State Building described the climb as an "unauthorized incident" but said it posed no danger to tenants, visitors or guests on the observation deck beneath the spire.
"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," the spokesperson added.
Nikolau and Beerkus have built an online following through their extreme "rooftopping" stunts, which include scaling skyscrapers and other towering structures around the world, such as Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka 118, often without permission and any safety equipment.
Their adventures were documented in the 2024 Netflix film Skywalkers: A Love Story, directed by Jeff Zimbalist and co-directed by Maria Bukhonina. The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
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