Man Arrested After Climbing New York Times Building

NEW YORK (AP)  --  A self-proclaimed expert on al-Qaida climbed part-way up The New York Times skyscraper Wednesday in an attempt to publicize his crusade against the terrorist organization. His roadmap: news reports about two other men who scaled the building before him.


Juliet Papa reports

David Malone reached the 11th floor of the 52-story building in midtown Manhattan before descending to a ledge, where he spent hours making cell phone calls and talking to police. He was arrested about 5:20 a.m.

Malone, 29, hung a small white-and-red banner, which covered part of the first letter T on the sign for The New York Times. His banner referenced al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, police said.

AP Video: Third Man in Weeks Scales Skyscraper

Malone said that the other incidents inspired him to seek publicity for his own crusade and that those stories helped him figure out how to do it, according to police.

On June 5, anti-global-warming daredevil Alain Robert climbed the skyscraper, followed hours later by Renaldo Clarke, proclaiming the dangers of malaria. The building, into which the newspaper company moved last year, is designed with slats that the men climbed like a ladder.

Malone called a night editor at the Daily News during the stunt, saying Americans underestimate al-Qaida's threat to national security.

The West Hartford, Conn., resident said on his Web site that he is an activist who studies al-Qaida. He is the author of a book, ``Bin Laden's Plan,'' which argues that Sept. 11 was part of a plot to provoke the U.S. into invading Iraq.

Police took the Daily News editor to the scene, and hostage negotiators worked to get the climber down to the fifth floor, where he was invited inside to speak to the editor, said police spokesman Paul Browne. That's when officers took him into custody.

Malone was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation and arrested on charges of reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. He was awaiting arraignment.

Dozens of police and firefighters responded about 1:30 a.m., when the climber was first spotted. Streets were closed, and an inflatable cushion was placed in front of the building's main entrance.

Police said they took the incident ``seriously.''

``The department's view is these antics put the public at grave risk, not to mention the potential for injury or death for the climber,'' Browne said.

Later Wednesday, crews worked to remove dozens of the white ceramic rods from the building's lower facade. Modifications were made to the building and security was added after the other stunts.

Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis said the company was investigating how Wednesday's climber was able to overcome the additional obstacles, but she refused to discuss whether other measures were being put into place.

In the other incidents, both men made it to the top before being arrested. A grand jury dismissed charges of reckless endangerment and trespassing against Robert after hearing about his climbing experience and safeguards. Reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct charges are still pending against Clarke.

The men's actions led city officials to call for stronger laws to deter skyscraper shenanigans.