Overview
- Thieves bored through a wall from an adjacent underground parking garage into a Sparkasse branch in Gelsenkirchen and forced open more than 3,000 safe‑deposit boxes.
- The break‑in was discovered early Monday when a fire alarm drew first responders to a large hole leading into the underground vault.
- Investigators are analyzing footage showing a black Audi RS6 leaving the garage with masked occupants and say the car bore a licence plate stolen in Hanover.
- About 2,700 customers were affected as the branch remained closed for security; the bank set up a hotline and is coordinating claims with insurers based on standard box coverage of roughly €10,000.
- Authorities estimate losses at around €30 million using insured values, though police say total damage could be far higher, with current assessments ranging between €10 million and €90 million and no arrests reported.