In a meticulously planned operation reminiscent of a Hollywood thriller, thieves drilled through a thick concrete wall from an adjacent parking garage to access the underground vault of a Sparkasse savings bank branch in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany. The brazen robbery, carried out over the extended Christmas holiday when banks were closed, targeted thousands of customer safe deposit boxes, making off with cash, jewelry, gold, and other valuables estimated in the double-digit millions of euros—at least €10 million, with some reports suggesting up to €30-90 million.
Discovery and Customer Outrage
The heist was uncovered in the early hours of December 29, 2025, when a fire alarm triggered a police response, revealing a large hole in the vault wall and ransacked boxes. Witnesses reported seeing several masked men carrying heavy bags in the parking garage stairwell over the weekend, and a black Audi RS 6 with stolen license plates fleeing the scene early Monday. Police described the operation as highly professional, likely involving significant planning and possibly inside knowledge. On December 30, dozens of distraught customers gathered outside the branch, chanting “Let us in!” and expressing frustration over lack of information. One long-time depositor told media he couldn’t sleep, worried about his life savings in cash and valuables. Sparkasse officials have yet to comment publicly, leaving affected clients uncertain about insurance coverage for items in safe deposit boxes, which often excludes high-value contents unless specially declared.