Germany launches investigation into Oceans Eleven-style Christmas bank robbery

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A robbery occurred at a branch of Sparkasse bank in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia state, Germany during the Christmas holidays. Thieves broke into a vault and stole cash, gold, and jewelry estimated to be worth up to €105m.

According to police, the perpetrators used a large drill to bore through a thick concrete wall of the branch’s parking garage, gaining access to an underground vault room. They then forced open more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes. The total value of the stolen items is believed to range between €10m and €90m.

The robbery is thought to have taken place while businesses were closed for the extended Christmas break. Police suspect that the gang may have remained inside the building for several days before the theft was discovered in the early hours of Monday, when a fire alarm was triggered.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene and found a hole leading into the vault. Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags through the parking garage stairwell overnight between Saturday and Sunday. Security camera footage showed a black Audi RS 6 leaving the garage early on Monday morning with masked individuals inside.

The vehicle was later identified as having a license plate belonging to a car stolen in Hanover, more than 200km northeast of Gelsenkirchen. Police described the operation as highly organized, comparing it to a Hollywood-style robbery resembling Ocean’s Eleven.

Hundreds of customers gathered outside the bank on Tuesday, demanding answers. The branch remained closed for security reasons after threats were reportedly made against staff. The bank has set up a hotline for affected customers and is working with insurers to determine how compensation claims will be handled.

Police are still investigating the incident and have not yet identified any suspects.

Source: Al Jazeera