Thieves used a drill to break into a German bank vault, stealing cash, gold and jewellery from over 3,000 safe deposit boxes.
GELSENKIRCHEN: Robbers used a large drill to break into a German savings bank’s vault and stole cash, gold and jewellery worth an estimated €30 million.
The heist at the Sparkasse bank in the western city of Gelsenkirchen saw thieves break into more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes.
Police said the criminals drilled into the underground vault room from an adjacent parking garage.
Investigators suspect the gang spent much of the weekend inside the bank breaking open the boxes.
The break-in was discovered after a fire alarm was triggered in the early hours of Monday.
Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags in the parking garage stairwell from Saturday to Sunday.
Security camera footage showed a black Audi RS 6 leaving the garage early Monday morning with masked individuals inside.
The car’s license plate had been stolen earlier in the city of Hanover.
A police spokesman said the break-in was “indeed very professionally executed”.
“A great deal of prior knowledge and/or a great deal of criminal energy must have been involved to plan and carry this out,” he said.
Police estimated the damage at €30 million based on an average insured value of €10,000 per box.
Several victims told police their losses far exceeded the insured value of their boxes.
Hundreds of distressed bank customers massed outside the closed branch on Tuesday demanding information.
The police spokesman said “disgruntled customers” were outside after threats had been made against employees.
“We’re still on site, keeping an eye on things,” he said, adding that “the situation has calmed down considerably”.
