Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Police Search Gelsenkirchen Sparkasse for Data in Massive Safe‑Deposit Heist

The court‑approved raid seeks datastores and customer records to speed the hunt for the vault raiders.

Overview

  • Officers executed a court‑authorized search of the Buer branch to secure digital systems and customer data for evidence preservation, with prosecutors saying no suspicion targets bank staff.
  • Investigators continue to pursue leads, including two apparently forged license plates found near Dortmund Hauptbahnhof, while a special task force works to identify three masked suspects seen on released images.
  • The branch remains closed and the vault sealed as more than 1,500 customers contact the bank; standard coverage per box is €10,300, with some holders carrying supplemental insurance.
  • Total losses are still unclear, with police referring to a mid double‑digit million sum and some reports indicating the haul could exceed €100 million.
  • Political scrutiny is intensifying, with a special session of North Rhine‑Westphalia’s interior committee set for next week to examine investigative progress and possible security failings.