Vjeran Tomic: The Intriguing Tale of Paris' Spider-Man Unveiled

What Happened To Vjeran Tomic, The Spider-Man of Paris?

The Tale of Vjeran Tomic

The incredible story of Vjeran Tomic, famously known as the real-life Spider-Man, has been transformed into an exhilarating documentary titled "Vjeran Tomic: The Spider-Man of Paris." The film showcases Tomic's life as a cat burglar, culminating in his audacious heist of five paintings worth a combined total of €110 million from the Musée d’Art Moderne (MAM) in Paris back in 2010.

The Backstory

Sent to live with his grandmother in Mostar, Bosnia, at the age of 10, Tomic pulled off his first heist by breaking into a library and stealing two centuries-old books. Upon returning to Paris, he immersed himself in the streets of the city, mastering the art of wall-climbing and parkour. He transitioned from breaking into mausoleums to wealthy homes, where he would steal valuables and sell them at markets. Tomic even claims to have stolen gold buttons from the Egyptian Royal Family.

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The MAM Heist

In 2004, Tomic met gallery owner Jean Michel Corvez, who would go on to "order" thefts from Tomic, which he would then sell to clients. Over time, their focus shifted from jewelry to paintings. Tomic learned of Corvez's desire to own a Léger painting displayed in the Musée d’Art Moderne and proposed a plan to break in through an insecure window. After weeks of meticulous preparation, Tomic successfully infiltrated the museum and stole not only the Léger, but also works by Picasso, Modigliani, and Braque.

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Tomic remained undetected until six months later when a police informant revealed his identity. However, it wasn't until Tomic attempted another heist on the Pompidou Centre that he was finally apprehended. He confessed to stealing the five artworks and was subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison. Corvez and Birn, who played roles in the theft, also received prison sentences and had to pay €104 million in compensation to the City of Paris.

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Despite claims by Birn that the stolen paintings have been destroyed, their whereabouts remain unknown. Currently serving his sentence until 2025, Tomic is trying his hand at illustrating while aspiring to open his own sculpting studio. The captivating documentary about his exploits, "Vjeran Tomic: The Spider-Man of Paris," can be streamed on Netflix starting from October 20.