Russian Tourist in Serious Trouble for Climbing the Brooklyn Bridge to Take Photos ‘For Fun’

brooklyn-bridge
A screenshot of surveillance footage the captured Kolchin’s antics.

Rooftopping — taking photos from the top of tall structures, often illegally trespassing to get there — is a favorite pastime of many daredevil photographers, but it’s also dangerous and could land you in a whole heap of trouble, as one Russian tourist is quickly finding out.

Yaroslav Kolchin, 24, has been charged with reckless endangerment, trespassing and disorderly conduct after police spotted him climbing a cable of the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday to capture photographs ‘for fun.’

After being spotted by locals and law enforcement, Kolchin was promptly arrested upon his descent from the top. The prosecutors in the case are claiming his antics and the resulting arrest require a “high allocation of resources” and endangered the lives of pedestrians below him.

Kolchin’s actions are being treated especially carefully considering this is the second time in the past month the Brooklyn Bridge’s security has been breached — the first having happened July 22nd when two American flags were replaced with white flags, a stunt two German artists are taking credit for.

The dare-devil’s arraignment was today, where his bail was set at $5,000 and his passport was confiscated by prosecutors. It is believed Kolchin will not make bail, effectively securing himself a spot in the local holding facility.

His attorneys have thus far refused to comment on the matter.

(via Yahoo! News)


Image credits: Surveillance images via NYPD DCPI

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