BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Thieves made off with tens of millions of euros after drilling into a bank vault in western Germany during the quiet holiday period, executing what investigators believe could rank among the largest bank heists in the country’s recent history.
Police said the break-in occurred at a Sparkasse bank branch in the city of Gelsenkirchen, where criminals forced their way into the vault and emptied safety deposit boxes belonging to thousands of customers. Authorities and the bank confirmed that around 2,700 account holders were affected by the theft.
According to police spokesperson Thomas Nowaczyk, early estimates suggest the value of the stolen property ranges from 10 million to as much as 90 million euros, a wide margin that reflects the difficulty of determining what valuables customers kept in their boxes. The missing items are believed to include cash, jewelry, precious metals and other high-value personal belongings.
Investigators were alerted to the crime shortly before 4 a.m. on Monday, when a fire alarm went off at the bank branch. Police officers and firefighters responding to the alert discovered a hole drilled through a basement wall and found the vault extensively damaged and looted. Initial findings indicate that the perpetrators used a large industrial drill to penetrate the reinforced structure, suggesting a high level of planning and specialized equipment.
The bank remained closed on Tuesday as forensic teams continued to examine the scene. Frustration grew among customers, with roughly 200 people reportedly gathering outside the branch, demanding access and answers about the fate of their possessions.
Witness accounts have added to the picture of a carefully coordinated operation. Several people told investigators they observed men carrying large bags in a nearby parking garage over the weekend. Police said surveillance footage from the garage shows masked individuals inside a stolen vehicle in the early hours of Monday, footage that is now a key part of the investigation.
Authorities have launched a large-scale manhunt and are reviewing security camera recordings from surrounding areas in an effort to trace the suspects’ movements before and after the break-in. Police have not yet announced any arrests.
Gelsenkirchen, located about 192 kilometers northwest of Frankfurt, has been shaken by the scale of the crime. For many affected customers, the loss goes beyond financial value, as safety deposit boxes often hold irreplaceable personal and family items. Investigators said the inquiry is ongoing and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Original article
Comments