Major Heist in Germany: Safe-Deposit Boxes Targeted
During the Christmas holiday, thieves executed a daring robbery at a safe-deposit facility in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. According to German police, the stolen goods could be valued at up to $105 million, marking this incident as potentially one of the largest thefts in the nation’s history.
The Robbery: How It Unfolded
Authorities reported that the perpetrators gained entrance to the Sparkasse bank by breaking in from an adjacent parking garage while businesses were closed for the festive season. Using heavy-duty drills, they drilled through a robust concrete wall to access the underground vault. Once inside, they opened approximately 3,000 safe-deposit boxes and made off with a variety of valuables, including cash, gold, and jewelry.
A police spokesperson spoke about the operation, likening it to the movie Ocean’s Eleven, highlighting the level of professionalism involved. “It appears that a significant amount of planning and expertise was necessary to execute this robbery,” the spokesperson mentioned.
According to the bank, “more than 95 percent of the 3,250 customer safe deposit boxes were compromised.” Authorities were alerted to the incident when a fire alarm sounded on Monday, though the precise timing of the robbery remains unclear.
Valuation of Stolen Goods
Investigators estimate the value of the stolen items to be between €10 million and €90 million (approximately $12 million to $106 million). Police spokesperson Thomas Nowaczyk indicated that the average insured value of each box is over €10,000 ($11,700), yet numerous victims have stated that their belongings were worth much more than what was insured.
Details on the Suspects
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the culprits are still unaccounted for. Security footage captured a black Audi RS 6 exiting the bank’s parking garage in the early hours of Monday, with individuals wearing masks inside. Investigators discovered that the license plate of the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier in Hanover, roughly 200 kilometers (124 miles) northeast of Gelsenkirchen.
Customer Reactions and Bank Response
Frustrated customers gathered outside the bank on Tuesday, seeking answers about the heist. In light of security concerns stemming from threats made against employees, the bank branch remained closed. A police spokesperson stated, “We are still monitoring the situation, which has since calmed down significantly.”
In response to the incident, the bank is in the process of notifying all affected customers and has established a hotline for inquiries. Bank press spokesperson Frank Krallmann expressed shock at the incident, emphasizing, “We are committed to our customers and hope that those responsible will be apprehended.”
Noteworthy Recent Heists
October 2025: The Louvre, France
A gang of robbers infiltrated the Louvre Museum in Paris, making away with eight pieces of Napoleonic jewelry in under seven minutes. Estimated at $102 million, the stolen items have led to the arrest of eight suspects, with additional investigations ongoing.
September 2025: Museum of Natural History, France
On September 30, a 24-year-old woman was apprehended in Barcelona for allegedly stealing six gold nuggets valued at around €1.5 million ($1.76 million) from the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. The museum’s security systems had been compromised, leaving it vulnerable to theft.
March 2024: Los Angeles Cash Heist, United States
During the Easter weekend, thieves managed to steal at least $30 million in cash from a GardaWorld facility in Los Angeles. Dubbed one of the most significant cash heists in the city’s history, there have been no confirmed arrests related to this crime.
Conclusion
The ambitious heist in Gelsenkirchen exposes vulnerabilities in bank security and highlights the lengths criminals will go to for a financial windfall. As investigations continue, both the community and the affected customers are left coping with the ramifications of this immense theft.
- Robbers stole valuables from 3,000 safe-deposit boxes in Gelsenkirchen.
- The estimated value of stolen items ranges from €10 million to €90 million.
- No arrests have been made, and suspects remain at large.
- The bank is actively communicating with affected customers and working on compensation claims.