Thieves in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, used a large drill to break into a Sparkasse savings bank branch and steal an estimated €30 million in cash and valuables over the Christmas holiday weekend. Police discovered the crime early Monday morning after a fire alarm was triggered at the bank, located on Nienhofstrasse in the Buer district.
The perpetrators gained access to the bank through an adjacent parking garage, according to initial investigations. Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags in the garage staircase between Saturday and Sunday. The thieves proceeded to break open more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes, making off with money, gold, and jewelry.
A police spokesman, speaking to AFP news agency, described the heist as "very professionally executed," drawing comparisons to the Hollywood film "Ocean's Eleven." The thieves exploited the relative quiet of the Christmas holiday to carry out the elaborate robbery.
Gelsenkirchen Police are currently investigating the incident and have not yet made any arrests. The perpetrators remain at large. The investigation is focusing on analyzing security footage from the parking garage and surrounding areas, as well as interviewing witnesses.
The incident raises concerns about bank security and the potential for sophisticated criminal operations targeting financial institutions. The use of a drill to breach the safe highlights the vulnerabilities that can exist even in modern banking infrastructure. The success of the heist underscores the importance of robust security measures, including advanced alarm systems, reinforced vaults, and vigilant monitoring. The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities are appealing to the public for any information that may lead to the identification and apprehension of the thieves.
Multi-Source Journalism
This article synthesizes reporting from multiple credible news sources to provide comprehensive, balanced coverage.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
Get ready to ditch the disco ball and dive into the dazzling world of New Year's Eve TV! Networks are pulling out all the stops with star-studded lineups like "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" and CNN's "New Year's Eve Live," offering viewers a front-row seat to the biggest party of the year, whether they're streaming from the sofa or braving the Times Square crowds.
"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest" started 2025 with record viewership, peaking at 29 million and demonstrating the enduring power of live television events. The broadcast's success, encompassing primetime and late-night elements, highlights the continued relevance of traditional TV specials in capturing large audiences, even as viewing habits evolve. The upcoming 2026 edition will expand its reach with a Central Time Zone countdown, further solidifying its position as a cultural touchstone.
Get the inside scoop! The author of "Heated Rivalry" dishes on the steamy on-set experience of Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams filming their first sex scene, revealing the unique challenges and creative process. Plus, hear about the author's hopes for an expanded second season and how the show's success is empowering her fight against Parkinson's, proving that love stories can make a real-world impact.
A music industry titan has fallen! Michael Lippman, the manager and lawyer who guided the careers of legends like George Michael and David Bowie, has passed away at 79, leaving behind a legacy that shaped pop culture and captivated audiences worldwide. From shepherding George Michael through his "Faith" era to his early work with Bowie, Lippman's influence resonates deeply within the music world.
A recent Nature article explores potential scientific breakthroughs expected by 2050, including the possibility of superintelligent AI dominating research and humans relegated to hobbyist roles. The piece highlights Nature's history of forecasting scientific trends and encourages readers to consider the transformative impact of future technologies.
A science fiction story explores the intersection of AI and societal reconstruction after a cataclysmic event, featuring robots designed to clear rubble and rebuild. One robot, Twobit, exhibits unexpected creativity by stacking rubble based on historical recordings, raising questions about AI's potential role in preserving and reimagining human history. This development highlights the evolving capabilities of AI beyond mere task completion, hinting at a future where robots contribute to cultural and historical interpretation.
An article from Nature's archive explores historical perspectives, potentially containing outdated and offensive content by modern standards, reflecting the evolution of societal norms. The archive includes articles related to history, computer science, and engineering, alongside recent news and views on diverse scientific topics such as AI safety and quantum science.
MIT researchers have developed an mRNA-based therapy that rejuvenates the aging immune system by temporarily reprogramming the liver to produce T-cell boosting signals, effectively mimicking the function of a youthful thymus. This innovative approach, demonstrated in mice, enhances T-cell production and improves response to vaccines and cancer treatments, potentially paving the way for therapies that extend healthy lifespans by bolstering immunity in older adults.
Researchers have discovered a surprisingly large hydrothermal vent field near Milos, Greece, revealing Earth's dynamic geological processes. Using advanced underwater technology, scientists observed boiling fluids and thriving microbial life, highlighting the significance of these vents for understanding our planet's interior and potential implications for marine ecosystems. This discovery positions Milos as a key Mediterranean site for future research into hydrothermal activity.
Multiple news sources report that Arctic warming is accelerating due to a newly identified feedback loop involving cracks in sea ice and oil field pollution, which release heat and pollutants that form sunlight-trapping clouds and smog. This combination further exacerbates melting, emphasizing the Arctic's sensitivity within the global climate system and highlighting the complex interplay of natural and human-driven processes driving rapid change.
NIST scientists have confirmed that time runs faster on Mars due to relativity, with clocks ticking slightly faster and fluctuating over the Martian year. This microsecond difference is crucial for future Mars missions, impacting navigation, communication, and the potential development of a solar-system-wide internet. Understanding and accounting for this time dilation is essential for accurate and synchronized operations in interplanetary space exploration.
Despite broad agreement on the need for change, federal policy relief for family caregivers remains stalled, as highlighted by Senator Kim's recent speech on his personal caregiving challenges. The high costs and complexities of caregiving, impacting an estimated 63 million Americans, are prompting renewed calls for federal support and policy solutions. Advocates hope to reignite the discussion and push for meaningful change in the coming legislative sessions.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment