Thieves Drill into German Bank Vault, Steal Millions in Valuables

In the early hours of Monday, December 29, 2025, thieves executed a meticulously planned heist at a Sparkasse savings bank branch in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Utilizing a large drill, the perpetrators breached the bank's underground vault from an adjacent parking garage, making off with cash, gold, and jewelry valued at approximately €30 million.

The criminals accessed and emptied more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes during the break-in. The crime was discovered when a fire alarm was triggered around 4 a.m. on Monday, prompting police and firefighters to respond. Upon arrival, they found a hole in the vault's basement wall and the interior ransacked.

Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags in the stairwell of the parking garage during the night from Saturday to Sunday. Security footage captured a black Audi RS 6 leaving the garage early Monday morning, with masked individuals inside. The vehicle's license plate had been reported stolen earlier in Hanover.

A police spokesperson described the break-in as "very professionally executed," drawing comparisons to the heist film "Ocean's Eleven." The bank remained closed on Tuesday, with approximately 200 concerned customers gathering outside seeking information. Authorities have urged affected customers to contact the bank for assistance.

As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. Police are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the apprehension of the suspects.