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NewsNBC Chicago – LocalJuly 2, 2026United States

Couple Arrested After Unauthorized Empire State Building Climb and Proposal

Two individuals known for 'rooftopping' were arrested after scaling the Empire State Building's antenna to perform a marriage proposal. The pair, who were featured in a recent documentary, face charges including burglary and reckless endangerment.

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Why It Matters

The incident highlights security vulnerabilities at the Empire State Building, where a broken lock on a restricted 104th-floor door allowed unauthorized access to the structure's antenna.

Key Facts

  • Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov were arrested for scaling the Empire State Building's antenna.
  • The pair faces charges of burglary and reckless endangerment.
  • The climbers were released without bail following their arraignment.
  • A court complaint identified a broken lock on a security door on the restricted 104th floor as the point of entry.
  • The building's highest public area is the 102nd-floor observation deck; access above this requires a key card.
  • The climbers unfurled a banner reading 'when the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace' during the stunt.
  • Building management stated the event was unauthorized and did not endanger occupants inside the skyscraper.
  • The individuals were identified as the subjects of the 2024 Netflix documentary 'Skywalkers: A Love Story'.

Who's Mentioned

personIvan Beerkus“Climber involved in the incident, also known as Ivan Kuznetsov.”locationEmpire State Building“The site of the unauthorized climb.”personJason Krinsky“Attorney representing the climbers.”personAngela Nikolau“Climber involved in the incident.”personJared Leto“Individual who previously climbed the building with authorization.”