A large-scale German bank heist has left customers and investigators searching for answers after thieves broke into a savings bank branch in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, and emptied thousands of safe deposit boxes over the Christmas period.
The police say they carefully planned the robbery, targeting a Sparkasse branch in the Buer district. Investigators believe the perpetrators used a heavy industrial drill to bore their way from a neighbouring parking garage into the bank’s underground vault. Once inside, the group allegedly spent hours opening more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes, which contained cash, gold, and jewellery.
Authorities estimate the total value of stolen items at around €30 million. The crime came to early light Monday morning when a fire alarm was triggered inside the building, prompting police and firefighters to search the premises and discover a hole leading into the vault room.
According to police accounts, the timing of the break-in suggests the suspects took advantage of the quiet holiday period, likely remaining undetected throughout much of the weekend. Witnesses later reported seeing several men carrying large bags in the stairwell of the garage between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Security footage reviewed by investigators shows a black Audi RS 6 leaving the garage early Monday. Police have confirmed that the vehicle’s licence plates were stolen previously in the city of Hanover. No arrests have been made, and the suspects remain at large.
A police spokesman reportedly described the operation as “very professionally executed”, adding that it required extensive preparation and technical knowledge. He compared the methodical nature of the robbery to a high-profile movie theft while emphasising that the investigation is still in its early stages.
The aftermath has been tense for customers. Hundreds gathered outside the closed branch on Tuesday seeking information about their losses. Since then, Sparkasse has established a hotline to inform customers about the forced opening of approximately 95% of the boxes. The bank stated that each compartment is insured up to €10,300 while advising customers to check whether additional coverage applies through personal insurance policies.
