Police capture man who scaled NYC's Trump Tower using suction cups

Police say a man who climbed partway up the facade of Trump Towerin New York City had posted a video onlinesaying he did it becausehe wanted "a private audience" with Republican presidentialnominee Donald Trump.

In the video, the unidentified 20-year-old Virginia man says he's"an independent researcher" who wants to "discuss animportantmatter" with Trump.

The climber used large suction cups,a harness and rope stirrups to fasten himself to the side of the 58-storey Manhattan skyscraper.

He had been climbingfor more than two hours Wednesday and had reached the 21st floorwhen police grabbed him.

Officers smashed windows and broke through a ventilation duct in an attempt to block his progress. They also lowered themselves toward him using a window washer's platform.

When he was captured, there were police in twowindows and onthe window washer's platform on a third side of the building.

Cat-and-mouse game

The climber played a slow-motion cat-and-mouse game with officers, eluding them by methodically working his way across the facade and angled corners of the building.

He was speaking with officers through the holes cut in the side of the building. When would-be rescuers smashed a window above him, he ducked to avoid big shards of glass that fell.

Police deployed large, inflated crash pads at the scene but made no visible attempt to grab him as he passed their positions.

A large crowd gathered near the building.

The tower is headquarters to Donald Trump's Republican presidential campaign and his business empire. Trump also lives there.

A Trump campaign spokeswoman hasn't responded to a request for comment.

Terraces and other parts of the building are open to the public during the day.