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Police Pursue Lead After Gelsenkirchen Bank Vault Drill Heist

Investigators are focusing on masked suspects seen with bags in a connected parking garage.

Overview

  • Video from the adjoining garage shows a high‑powered black car leaving early Monday with masked occupants, and the vehicle bore a previously stolen license plate.
  • Witnesses reported several men carrying large bags in the stairwell of the garage during the night from Saturday to Sunday.
  • The break‑in was uncovered after a fire alarm overnight to Monday, and police are reviewing an earlier alarm on Saturday as part of the timeline.
  • Entry was made via the garage into an office next to the vault, where perpetrators used industrial drilling equipment, reportedly water‑cooled, to breach the wall.
  • Police and the bank say estimates that thousands of safe‑deposit boxes were opened and losses could exceed €30 million remain preliminary, the branch is closed with a hotline for affected customers as insurance limits raise concern.