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Massive bank heist in Gelsenkirchen yields €30m
Thieves drilled into over 3,000 safe deposit boxes at a Sparkasse branch in western Germany, making off with an estimated €30 million ($35 million) in cash, gold, and jewelry, police reported on Tuesday.
Hollywood-style execution
A police spokesperson compared the heist to a scene from Ocean's Eleven, calling it "very professionally executed." The robbery occurred at the Sparkasse savings bank in Gelsenkirchen's Buer district during the quiet Christmas period.
Investigators believe the thieves accessed the bank through an adjacent parking garage and escaped the same way. Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags in the garage's stairwell overnight from Saturday to Sunday.
Discovery and response
The break-in was discovered early Monday after a fire alarm triggered in the bank. Police and firefighters found a hole drilled into the underground vault room. Video footage shows a black Audi RS 6 leaving the garage on De-La-Chevallerie-Strasse shortly afterward.
No arrests have been made, and the perpetrators remain at large. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.
Impact on customers
The bank confirmed that 95% of the safe deposit boxes were forced open, meaning the likelihood of customers being affected is "very high." A hotline has been set up for those seeking information.
"I couldn't sleep last night. We're getting no information," one customer told Welt broadcaster while waiting outside the branch. He said the box contained his life savings.
Sparkasse stated that each compartment is insured up to €10,300 and advised customers to check if they had additional coverage through home insurance policies.
Bank closure and next steps
The branch on Nienhofstrasse remained closed on Tuesday as police secured the premises. A large crowd of customers gathered outside, demanding updates. The bank's website posted a notice confirming the closure and directing customers to the hotline.
Investigators continue to review evidence, including security footage and witness statements, as the search for the suspects intensifies.
