Thieves steal over €10 million from Gelsenkirchen bank vault during Christmas

During the Christmas holiday closure, thieves carried out a significant heist at a Sparkasse bank in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen, stealing an estimated €10 million or more in cash and valuables from customer deposit boxes.

According to police, the perpetrators gained access by drilling through a thick concrete wall into the bank’s vault. Once inside, they broke into several thousand safe deposit boxes.

The crime was only discovered in the early hours of Monday, 29 December, when a fire alarm was triggered, prompting police and emergency services to respond.

Police believe the theft took place while most businesses, including banks, were shut for the Christmas holiday, beginning from the evening of 24 December. This timing allowed the criminals to operate undetected over multiple days.

A spokesperson for the Gelsenkirchen police confirmed that the estimated value of the stolen goods was in the “double-digit millions of euros” range, though a precise total has not yet been confirmed.

In the aftermath of the discovery, dozens of affected customers gathered outside the Sparkasse branch on Tuesday, demanding answers and access to the premises.

One customer told the broadcaster Welt that he had stored his life savings for retirement in a deposit box he had used for 25 years, and was given no information from bank staff. “I couldn’t sleep last night. We’re getting no information,” he said.

Another man said he kept both jewellery and cash for his family in his deposit box.

The Sparkasse bank has not yet issued an official comment, and a spokesperson did not respond to media requests at the time of reporting.

Witness reports provided further leads to investigators. According to police, several individuals were seen on the night of Saturday, 27 December, carrying large bags through a stairwell in a nearby parking garage.

Additionally, a black Audi RS 6 was spotted leaving the garage early on the morning of 29 December, carrying masked occupants. The vehicle’s registration was traced to a car reported stolen in Hanover, located more than 200 kilometres northeast of Gelsenkirchen.

The methodical nature of the operation, including the use of a stolen vehicle and the exploitation of the holiday closure, has led investigators to believe that the theft was premeditated and carried out by a well-organised group.

Police are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the parking garage and surrounding area, and have appealed to the public for any further witness information.

Authorities have not released further details on how the concrete wall was breached or the duration of the drilling process. However, the extent of the break-in suggests considerable planning and technical capability.