Russian nationals Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov were arraigned in New York City on Thursday facing a series of charges, including reckless endangerment, following an apparent marriage proposal atop the Empire State Building. The pair, known “rooftoppers,” reached the 1,454-foot summit on Wednesday to unfurl a peace banner and stage a stunt that resulted in their arrest.
What charges are being brought against the pair?
Nikolau, 33, and 32-year-old Ivan Kuznetsov—also known as Ivan Beerkus—were scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. EST on Thursday. According to court records, the duo faces multiple charges: burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct, and possession of burglar’s tools. The two Russian nationals share a residential address in New Jersey.
How did the stunt occur at the Empire State Building?
The pair reached the summit of the landmark on Wednesday lunchtime. Dressed in all black, they unfurled a large black flag that read: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” After the display, the couple kissed at the top of the spire.
The New York Police Department monitored the activity using both a drone and a helicopter. Members of the NYPD’s elite emergency service unit, which specializes in rescues at altitude, performed the arrests. Investigators are currently working to determine how the pair managed to scale the final stages of the building.
Who are the individuals involved?
Nikolau and Kuznetsov are prominent practitioners of “rooftopping,” an underground activity where individuals scale skyscrapers to take photographs, record videos, or make political statements. The couple has reportedly undertaken similar adventures in California and China. They maintain a significant social media presence; Nikolau has 1.8 million followers on Instagram, while Kuznetsov’s account, @beerkus, has more than half a million followers.
What was the building’s response?
The owners of the Empire State Building issued a statement regarding the incident. They indicated a preference for more “orthodox” routes for marriage proposals. The statement noted that the Empire State Building Observation Deck “does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals.”
What happens next?
The legal process following Thursday’s arraignment is likely to proceed through the New York City criminal court system. Additionally, the ongoing investigation into how the pair scaled the spire may reveal new details regarding the security of the landmark’s summit.
