German police hunt suspects after €30m vault heist at a bank
German authorities are searching for suspects following a sophisticated overnight break-in at a savings bank in western Germany, where thieves reportedly made off with around €30 million in cash and valuables.
The heist targeted a Sparkasse bank branch on Nienhofstrasse in the Buer district of Gelsenkirchen. According to police, the perpetrators used a heavy industrial drill to gain access to an underground vault, forcing open more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes containing money, gold and jewellery. Investigators described the operation as highly professional, comparing it to a scene from a Hollywood crime film.
The robbery came to light in the early hours of Monday when a fire alarm was triggered at the branch. Police believe the suspects exploited the lull during the Christmas holiday period to carry out the operation, entering the building unnoticed and later escaping through a neighbouring parking garage.
Witnesses told investigators they saw several men carrying large bags along the garage staircase between Saturday night and early Sunday. CCTV footage has also identified a black Audi RS 6 leaving the garage early on Monday morning, which police believe may be linked to the crime.
No arrests have been made, and the suspects remain at large.
Sparkasse confirmed that roughly 95 per cent of the safe deposit boxes at the branch were broken into, warning customers that many may have been affected. The bank has established a dedicated hotline for those impacted and said each safe deposit box is insured up to €10,300, advising customers to review their home insurance policies for additional coverage.
The Gelsenkirchen branch has been temporarily closed while investigations continue.
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