In a sophisticated heist that echoes the plot of a heist film, a group of robbers executed a daring burglary at a savings bank in western Germany, making off with an estimated loot of up to 5 million. As the nation celebrated the Christmas holidays, the thieves meticulously drilled their way through concrete to access the bank’s vault, raising questions about security protocols and prompting serious discussions on modern crime prevention methods. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that even established financial institutions face in an age increasingly marked by high-stakes criminal enterprises.
Robbers broke into a vault at a Sparkasse savings bank in Gelsenkirchen, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, during the Christmas holidays, stealing cash, gold, and jewelry estimated to be worth up to €90 million (5 million), according to police and bank officials. The brazen theft, executed while the community celebrated the festive season, saw perpetrators using a large drill to break through a thick concrete wall connecting to an underground vault room. This access was gained from an adjacent parking garage, where over 3,000 safe deposit boxes were forced open.
Police spokesperson Thomas Nowaczyk noted the total value of the stolen items could range from approximately €10 million to €90 million (.7 million to 5.7 million). German news agency dpa indicated that this robbery might rank among the largest in the nation’s history. Sparkasse confirmed that over 95% of the 3,250 customer safe deposit boxes were compromised during the incident.
The crime is believed to have taken advantage of the extended Christmas closure, leading police to suspect that the gang may have been inside the premises for several days, utilizing the holiday weekend to carry out their meticulous plan undetected. The elaborate nature of the break-in only came to light early on Monday, when a fire alarm was triggered, prompting emergency responders to discover the entry hole leading into the vault.
Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags through the parking garage stairwell overnight, while security footage captured a black Audi RS 6 leaving the scene with masked individuals inside. This vehicle was later identified as belonging to a car stolen in Hanover, over 200 kilometers (124 miles) away from Gelsenkirchen.
A police spokesperson characterized the operation as highly organized, likening it to a Hollywood-style robbery reminiscent of “Ocean’s Eleven.” He remarked on the professionalism exhibited, suggesting a significant level of criminal expertise must have been involved in planning and executing the heist.
Officers reported that the average insured value of each deposit box was more than €10,000 (,700); however, many victims indicated that the contents of their boxes held value well beyond this amount. As news of the robbery spread, hundreds of customers gathered outside the bank demanding answers, as the branch remained closed for security. Some expressed distress over the situation, having used safe deposit boxes for decades, often to store important personal assets, including retirement savings.
Nowaczyk confirmed that law enforcement remained present at the scene to maintain order, adding that the situation had calmed over time. Sparkasse established a hotline for affected customers and promised to keep them informed about the ongoing investigations and potential compensation for their losses. Expressing their concern, bank spokesperson Frank Krallmann stated, “We are shocked. We stand by our customers and hope that the perpetrators will be apprehended.”
As investigations continue, the suspects remain elusive, raising concerns about the implications of such sophisticated crimes on public safety and trust in banking infrastructure.
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