Thieves pulled off a massive, movie-style bank heist in western Germany by drilling directly into a vault wall and escaping with an estimated 30 million euros — roughly $35 million — in cash and valuables, authorities said.
The daring robbery happened at a savings bank branch in Gelsenkirchen on Monday, Dec. 29, according to a statement from Gelsenkirchen Police. Investigators say “several thousand safe deposit boxes” were broken into, with early estimates placing the total damage in the tens of millions of euros.
Police believe the suspects deliberately chose the quiet Christmas holiday period to carry out the break-in. According to authorities, the group drilled a hole into the vault wall from inside the building. A fire alarm was triggered around 4 a.m., prompting first responders to search the property. It was during that sweep that the damage in the basement vault was discovered.
A police spokesperson told DW News that the scale of the theft points to extensive planning and coordination.
Investigators say the suspects likely entered the building through an underground parking garage. Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags through the garage stairwell overnight, police said in an updated release.
Surveillance footage has also become a key part of the investigation. Police say video shows a black Audi RS 6 leaving the parking garage early Monday morning. Masked individuals can reportedly be seen inside the vehicle, with one person handling the exit barrier as the car drives away.
Authorities later confirmed the car’s license plate was stolen in Hanover, about 145 miles from Gelsenkirchen.
The robbery has left hundreds of customers shaken and searching for answers. According to the Associated Press, about 2,700 customers were affected. The branch, operated by Sparkasse, remained closed Tuesday as worried account holders gathered outside hoping to get information about their missing valuables.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and have not yet announced any arrests.