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NRW Interior Minister Rebukes Sparkasse After Data Seizure in Gelsenkirchen Vault Heist

Investigators seized bank records to accelerate the probe into the mass safe‑deposit theft.

Overview

  • Herbert Reul criticized Sparkasse Gelsenkirchen for withholding information, saying missing data forced police and prosecutors to act.
  • Authorities searched the branch to secure digital media and necessary customer records that investigators said had not been provided.
  • Reul indicated the perpetrators likely knew what to target and how to obtain it, with possible insider knowledge now under review.
  • Unknown intruders entered via an adjacent parking garage at the end of December, drilled into the vault and opened nearly all of roughly 3,250 safe‑deposit boxes.
  • Initial loss estimates remain in the mid‑double‑digit millions of euros, items stolen include gold, cash and jewelry, and there have been no arrests.