SAEDNEWS: Thieves executed a meticulously planned heist, making off with an estimated $35 million (approximately €30 million) in cash and personal valuables from a bank vault in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, over the Christmas holidays, according to police.
A break-in at a Sparkasse savings bank took place sometime between Saturday evening and early Monday morning, when thieves drilled through a thick concrete wall to reach the bank’s vault and forced open more than 3,000 safety-deposit boxes, affecting around 2,700 customers, according to RT.
Police only became aware of the crime after a fire alarm was triggered at the bank shortly before 4:00 a.m. on Monday, revealing a scene of extensive damage and disorder.
Investigators believe the perpetrators used a specialized industrial-grade drill to penetrate the reinforced wall. A police spokesperson described the operation as “professionally executed.”
Witnesses reported seeing several individuals carrying large bags through a nearby parking garage over the weekend. Security camera footage later showed a black Audi RS 6 speeding away early Monday morning with masked occupants. The vehicle was confirmed to have been stolen in Hanover, about 200 kilometers from the crime scene.
When customers arrived at the bank on Tuesday, they found the branch closed and cordoned off by police. Hundreds gathered outside, demanding information after Sparkasse confirmed that approximately 95 percent of the safety-deposit boxes had been broken into.
Police estimate the financial damage to be in the “two-digit million” range, according to a statement released on Tuesday. Each safety-deposit box is insured for up to €10,300, suggesting a minimum total loss of around €30 million, according to local media reports. Many customers fear this coverage will not be sufficient and are now reviewing their additional insurance policies.
The bank remains closed while the investigation continues. No arrests have been made, and the suspects remain at large.
