safety
Couple charged with felonies for Empire State Building climb-turned-proposal
By Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· July 2, 2026
· 3 min read
A skyscraper-scaling daredevil told police that he and his girlfriend climbed the Empire State Building’s antenna and unfurled a banner about love and peace because he wanted to “do something special” for their engagement, prosecutors said Thursday at the couple's arraignment on felony reckless e...
Key takeaway The couple, who go by Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, said little as they left court, though Beerkus responded to a journalist's question about the stunt by saying: "We believe in love.
Why this matters in Terrell Hills News
The Empire State Building climb-turned-proposal by Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus raises questions about the balance between public safety and individual expression. While the stunt may seem like a distant concern for Terrell Hills residents, it highlights the importance of securing public and private infrastructure. In a community like Terrell Hills, where residents value their quiet, suburban lifestyle, the potential for similar incidents at local landmarks or tall structures is a concern. The fact that the couple was able to bypass security measures at the Empire State Building by breaking a lock on a restricted-access floor is particularly troubling. As Terrell Hills continues to grow and develop, it is crucial for local authorities and property owners to review and strengthen their security protocols to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive areas, ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A skyscraper-scaling daredevil told police that he and his girlfriend climbed the Empire State Building’s antenna and unfurled a banner about love and peace because he wanted to “do something special” for their engagement, prosecutors said Thursday at the couple's arraignment on felony reckless e...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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