Thieves in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, used a drill to steal an estimated €30 million in cash and valuables from a Sparkasse savings bank branch 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 thieves broke into more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes, making off with money, gold, and jewelry, according to Gelsenkirchen Police. A police spokesman, quoted by AFP news agency, described the heist as "very professionally executed," drawing comparisons to the Hollywood film "Ocean's Eleven."
Initial investigations indicate the perpetrators gained access to the bank, and subsequently escaped, through an adjacent parking garage. Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags in the staircase of the garage between Saturday and Sunday. The thieves appear to have exploited the "quiet Christmas days" to carry out the robbery, police said.
The method used by the thieves raises questions about bank security protocols and the vulnerability of safe deposit boxes, even in modern banking institutions. The use of a drill to breach the vault suggests a level of planning and technical expertise. Law enforcement is currently investigating the tools and techniques employed by the thieves to determine if they had inside knowledge or specialized skills.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators remain at large. Police are appealing to the public for any information related to the heist, including any suspicious activity observed in the vicinity of the bank or parking garage during the Christmas weekend. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining security footage and forensic evidence to identify and apprehend the thieves.
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