A gang of thieves drilled into the vault of a Sparkasse bank branch during the holiday lull and made off with tens of millions of euros worth of valuables from safety deposit boxes.
Authorities say the break-in occurred over the Christmas holiday period. The theft was discovered on Monday, December 29 after a fire alarm alerted emergency services to the scene.
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Responders found a hole in the vault wall in the bank’s basement, where criminals had ransacked hundreds of safe-deposit boxes.
Police and the Sparkasse bank said about 2,700 customers were affected, with an estimated 10 million to 90 million euros of property stolen.
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Around 3,200 safe deposit boxes were emptied. Thieves drilled through a wall in Gelsenkirchen to access the vault.
The thieves made away with several items including cash, jewelry and other valuables — though exact figures are still being confirmed.
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Police and German media reported the heist could end up being one of the largest in the country’s history.
Investigators believe the gang used a powerful industrial drill to bore through reinforced concrete to access the underground vault.
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Witnesses told police they saw masked individuals carrying large bags in a nearby parking garage in the days before the theft
Video footage from the scene also shows the suspects escaping in a stolen vehicle from the scene.
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The bank remained closed in the aftermath, with customers gathering outside demanding answers about their belongings.
Each safety deposit box is insured for up to around €10,300, but many customers say their valuables far exceed that amount.
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