Drilled vault in Gelsenkirchen prompts major Sparkasse theft investigation
Thieves drilled into a Sparkasse vault in Gelsenkirchen during the Christmas lull, breaking 95% of 3,000 boxes and stealing up to €105 million, police say.
Boston HeraldThieves drill into a German bank vault and steal tens of millions of euros’ worth of property
New York Daily NewsThieves drill into a German bank vault and steal tens of millions of euros’ worth of property
Al JazeeraGerman thieves steal up to $105m in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ heist: What we know
BBC NewsGerman bank heist: Thieves use drill to steal €30m from savings bank
Overview
Masked thieves drilled into an underground vault at a Sparkasse branch in Gelsenkirchen, breaking into over 95% of roughly 3,000 safety deposit boxes during the Christmas lull.
Investigators give varying estimates: police spokesperson Thomas Nowaczyk cited €10–90 million; dpa and other reports suggest up to $105 million; earlier reports mentioned about €30 million.
A fire alarm was triggered Saturday with no initial damage found; another alarm early Monday prompted police and firefighters, though the exact timing of the break-in remains unconfirmed.
Police say a large drill was used to penetrate the vault's basement wall, leaving a hole; witnesses saw men with large bags and footage shows masked individuals in a stolen Audi RS 6.
About 2,700 customers were affected; Sparkasse insures each safety deposit box for €10,300 with private top-up options; the bank remained closed despite customers seeking access; investigation continues.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the German bank heist as a meticulously planned and executed crime, drawing parallels to Hollywood heist films like "Ocean's Eleven." The use of terms like "professionally executed" and emphasis on the thieves' strategic use of the "quiet Christmas days" highlight the sophistication of the operation. The narrative focuses on the scale of the theft and the emotional impact on affected customers, underscoring the audacity and precision of the criminals.