Germany has witnessed one of its most “spectacular” bank heists in years.
On a quiet weekend after Christmas, thieves infiltrated a High Street bank in Gelsenkirchen by drilling through a wall. They raided over 3,000 safe deposit boxes, escaping with millions of euros.
More than a month later, police have yet to make an arrest, leaving clients—some claiming to have lost their life savings and family treasures—filled with anger and confusion. This incident has significantly eroded trust in institutions.
Interior Minister Herbert Reul has raised critical questions: Why did no one notice the break-in? Was it an inside job? How did the thieves bypass security systems and silence the drill?
Gelsenkirchen police are urging witnesses to come forward. Investigators suspect the thieves accessed the Sparkasse bank through a nearby multi-storey car park, possibly tampering with an escape door that allowed them easy access.
Once inside, they breached multiple security measures to reach an archive room adjacent to the vault. They drilled a 40cm-wide hole into the strongroom, where the safe deposit boxes were stored. Officials estimate the heist occurred between December 27 and 29, with the thieves nearly caught just before reaching the vault.
A fire alarm, possibly triggered by the thieves, prompted a response from police and firefighters on December 27, but they found no signs of damage due to the locked vault. Reul noted that the police lacked the authority to search the bank without a warrant at that time.
Once inside, the thieves systematically opened nearly all 3,250 safe deposit boxes, taking cash, gold, and jewelry. Reul confirmed that the first box was breached at 10:45 AM on December 27, with the last at 2:44 PM. Witnesses reported seeing men carrying large bags the night of December 28.
Authorities estimate the theft could amount to €100 million (£87m). Police have released security footage showing masked individuals and two vehicles with fake plates.
The theft was only discovered on December 29, when another fire alarm revealed the chaos inside, with over 500,000 items scattered across the floor. Many valuables were damaged, and police are meticulously sorting through the debris to identify belongings.
Around 200 clients gathered outside the Sparkasse, demanding access. Joachim Alfred Wagner, 63, expressed his devastation over losing gold and family heirlooms, stating, “I cried with rage.”
The bank claims its security measures met industry standards, but Wagner has already filed a lawsuit for damages, citing inadequate security. While some clients possess receipts for their valuables, others do not, complicating matters further.
Reul emphasized the need to support the victims, acknowledging the psychological impact of the theft on their sense of security and trust in societal order.
Police Chief Tim Frommeyer recognized the case as one of the largest criminal incidents in North Rhine-Westphalia’s history, highlighting the deep financial and emotional toll on the community.
Shortly after the theft, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party staged a rally outside the bank, leading to accusations of political opportunism. Der Spiegel noted that the heist has evolved into a broader symbol of institutional failure and unmet promises of security.
