Empire State Building Climbers Face 3 Felony Charges After 1,450-Foot Proposal Stunt
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jul 1
Empire State Building Climbers Face 3 Felony Charges After 1,450-Foot Proposal Stunt
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jul 1
Summary
Angelina Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, were arraigned Thursday on felony charges including burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief, then released under court supervision pending an Aug. 24 court date.
Prosecutors said the pair entered the Empire State Building as visitors, hid overnight, cut two locks on the 104th floor and climbed the spire Wednesday before unfurling a banner and appearing to mark their engagement.
About 30 minutes were needed to power down the broadcast antenna before NYPD Emergency Service Unit officers, wearing harnesses, climbed roughly 1,250 feet to reach them; damage to a broken lock was estimated at $2,000.
Investigators believe the stunt was also meant to boost the couple's social media and documentary profile, while Kuznetsov told police he wanted to do something special for his engagement.