Empire State Building Lovebirds Face Felonies

Two roof-topping daredevils spent their first full day as an apparently engaged couple in court. The Moscow-based climbers who go by Ivan Beerkus, 32, and Angela Nikolau, 33, were arraigned Thursday after their unauthorized ascent of the Empire State Building's spire on Wednesday, reports ABC7. Prosecutors charged them with felony reckless endangerment, burglary, and related counts, per the AP. They did not enter pleas and were granted supervised release ahead of an Aug. 24 court date. The pair, still in the black outfits seen in viral footage of the climb, kissed for cameras as they left the courthouse.

"We believe in love," said Beerkus. Their lawyer argued the Manhattan DA's office had "overcharged" the case and framed the stunt—which appeared to feature a successful marriage proposal—as "a message of love." Police are still figuring out the particulars, but it appears the couple gained access to the building's spire through an access hatch on the 102nd floor, per Fox News. Adding a twist: Nikolau's father told ABC News the couple is already married and called the whole thing "a performance." The couple, known for unauthorized ascents of tall structures around the world, were previously featured in a Netflix documentary called Skywalkers: A Love Story.