‘Spiderman burglar’ goes on trial over Paris art theft

A man dubbed the “Spiderman burglar” has gone on trial in Paris over a €100m (£85m; $107m) art theft from a museum in the French capital.

Vjeran Tomic, 49, is accused of stealing five paintings, including works by Picasso and Matisse, from the Modern Art Museum in May 2010.  The paintings were stolen after an intruder cut through a padlocked gate and broke a window to enter the museum.  Two alleged accomplices are being tried alongside Mr Tomic.

According to French media reports, the museum’s alarm system had been waiting for repairs when the pictures were stolen during a night raid. The theft was only noticed the following morning, as security guards were checking the building before opening the doors to the public.

Among the stolen works were Pablo Picasso’s Dove with Green Peas, and Pastoral by Henri Matisse, along with paintings by Georges Braque, Amedeo Modigliani and Ferdinand Leger.  The paintings have never been found.

Mr Tomic, a rock climbing enthusiast, was arrested following an anonymous tip to police.

Source  bbc