German Bank Heist: Thieves Steal €30m in Daring Drill Operation
Friday, 2026/01/02296 words4 minutes384 reads
In a meticulously planned operation reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster, thieves orchestrated an audacious heist at a Sparkasse savings bank branch in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, absconding with an estimated €30 million in cash and valuables. The perpetrators employed an industrial-grade drill to breach the bank's vault, showcasing a level of sophistication that has left law enforcement officials astounded.
The assailants demonstrated remarkable precision and expertise, successfully infiltrating over 3,000 safe deposit boxes containing an array of high-value items including money, gold, and jewelry. The clandestine operation was only discovered when a fire alarm was triggered in the early hours of Monday morning, alerting authorities to the breach.
Investigators posit that the criminals exploited the relative tranquility of the Christmas period to execute their plan, gaining access to the bank via an adjacent parking structure. Eyewitness accounts describe several individuals transporting large bags through the garage's stairwell during the night spanning Saturday to Sunday. Surveillance footage captured a black Audi RS 6 departing the scene in the early hours of Monday, potentially serving as the getaway vehicle.
The bank has disclosed that a staggering 95% of the safe deposit boxes were compromised during the heist. In response, they've established a dedicated hotline for affected clients and advised customers to review any additional insurance coverage they may have. The incident has understandably generated significant anxiety and frustration among account holders, with many congregating outside the branch, demanding information about their potentially lost assets and savings.
This sophisticated criminal undertaking has drawn comparisons to the plot of 'Ocean's Eleven,' with a police spokesman noting the 'very professionally executed' nature of the operation. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are grappling with a crime that not only resulted in substantial financial losses but also highlighted potential vulnerabilities in banking security systems.
