The “Ocean’s Eleven” Heist: Gelsenkirchen Bank Vault Robbery

The Operation: Precision Drilling & Planning

The robbers executed a sophisticated plan that investigators believe took place between December 25 and December 29, 2025.

• The Entry: Suspects entered an adjacent underground parking garage and used a heavy-duty industrial drill to tunnel through a thick concrete wall directly into the bank’s underground vault.
• The Looting: Once inside, the gang systematically broke into more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes (roughly 95% of the branch’s total).
• The Discovery: The crime was only discovered at 4:00 AM on Monday, December 29, when a fire alarm—likely triggered by dust or heat from the drilling—alerted emergency services.

The Escape: A Stolen Audi RS 6

Police are currently analyzing CCTV footage and witness accounts to track the suspects.

• The Getaway Car: A black Audi RS 6 was seen leaving the parking garage early Monday morning with several masked individuals inside.
• The Trail: The vehicle was fitted with license plates that had been reported stolen from the city of Hanover, over 200 kilometers away, suggesting significant prior coordination.
• Witness Reports: Residents reported seeing men carrying heavy bags in the garage stairwell as early as Saturday night.

Financial Impact & Customer Outcry

The scale of the theft has caused panic among the local community.

• Estimated Loss: The €30 million figure is based on an average insurance value of €10,000 per box, though many customers claim their actual losses (uninsured gold and family heirlooms) far exceed that amount.
• Protests: Hundreds of customers gathered outside the closed branch on Tuesday, chanting “Let us in!” and demanding clarity on whether their life savings were stolen.
• Bank Response: Sparkasse has set up a dedicated hotline for affected customers but has kept the branch closed due to ongoing security concerns.

Heist Summary Table