A bold escapade involving two masked adventurers at the Empire State Building has led to their arrest and subsequent legal troubles. The dynamic display wasn’t just about reaching dizzying heights with a protest banner; it culminated in a melodramatic proposal when one of them kneeled on the iconic skyscraper’s summit. Now, this audacious duo is facing a series of charges.
Angela Nikolau, aged 33, and her partner, 32-year-old Vanya Beerkus, found themselves in police custody following their lofty venture on Wednesday afternoon.
According to a report by ABC News, the Russian pair is confronting a host of serious charges. Their legal woes include accusations of burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, local law violations, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct, and possession of burglar’s tools.
Their high-altitude thrill-seeking was abruptly halted as they were escorted from a New York Police Department precinct in Midtown later that evening.
Captured with an unreadable expression, Beerkus, dressed in black and wearing handcuffs, was led by two officers out of the precinct building and into a waiting white van, marking an end to their sky-high escapade.
Nikolau followed behind with a smirk, also clad in black, as two officers guided her to the same white vehicle.
The 33-year-old had a cheeky grin on her face as she sat seen sitting inside the white van.
Nikolau and Beerkus are being transported to Manhattan Criminal Court where they will face a judge for arraignment.
A pair of masked daredevils were spotted climbing to the very top of the Empire State Building in New York City on Wednesday
Ivan Beerkus is transported in handcuffs in New York. He was taken into police custody after unfurling a pro-peace banner on top of the Empire State Building
Angela Nikolau is transported in New York after she climbed to the top of the massive building before getting engaged to Beerkus
The pair scaled the spire of the New York City landmark, which reaches a staggering 1,454 feet.
As they clung on, the daredevils flew a banner which read: ‘When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.’
The message appeared to be a modified quote from British politician William Gladstone, and is often misattributed to the rock star Jimi Hendrix.
After flying the banner at around noon, the climbers began to descend just after 12.30pm, before reaching a lower platform where Beerkus dropped down to one knee and proposed.
Nikolau appeared to say ‘yes’ to the astonishing proposal, as a helicopter circling the building captured the couple embracing and they removed their masks to share a kiss.
The influencer posted a video of herself atop the Empire State Building at around midday.
The stunt couple, who are known for climbing skyscrapers, starred in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
Nikolau has posted herself scaling tall buildings and performing hair-raising acts while donning a black cat-face covering.
Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau attend Netflix’s Skywalkers: A Love Story Tribeca Film Festival Premiere
A daredevil influencer, Angela Nikolau, posts videos of herself scaling tall buildings while donning a black cat-face covering. She is often filming with musician Vanya Beerkus
After they began their descent at around 12.30pm, Beerkus proposed to Nikolau on a lower deck of the spire, and she appeared to say yes as the pair embraced and shared a kiss
Nikolau posted a series of photos of the pair atop the Empire State Building, including a snap of the proposal and her flashy diamond ring
Tourists and onlookers gazed up in astonishment at the scene unfolding above them, as the Empire State Building’s observation deck was quickly cleared
Nikolau shared a video of herself on top of the Empire State Building at around midday
The New York City Police Department was at the scene and the couple were arrested at around 1pm
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She is often videoed and pictured atop the terrifyingly tall buildings with musician Beerkus.
Nikolau posted a series of photos of the couple shortly after the stunt, including a snap of the proposal and of her flashy new diamond ring.
The New York City Police Department was at the scene and the pair were taken into custody at around 1pm.
Tourists and onlookers gazed up in astonishment at what was unfolding above them as the Empire State Building’s observation deck was quickly cleared.
Witness Julie Morris told CBS: ‘We were right at the top. I could see two people open the gates – the mesh gates – and they went up to the top.
‘I just assumed they were allowed up there.’
On the street below the iconic building, police had taped off the area and closed the street.
This is a breaking news story.