According to information from the police, the theft occurred at a Sparkasse bank branch in Gelsenkirchen city, western Germany on Christmas night.
Taking advantage of the time when most stores and banks closed from the evening of December 24, the theft group secretly drilled through a thick concrete wall, approached the safe area and broke thousands of customer boxes.
Police said the total value of cash and assets stolen was estimated at "two million euros", or at least about 10 million euros. The exact figure has not yet been announced because the inventory process is still ongoing.
The theft was only discovered in the early morning of December 29, after the building's fire alarm system suddenly activated. When functional forces arrived, they discovered a large drill hole through the wall leading straight into the safe room - a sign that this was a carefully prepared burglary, not a spontaneous action.
The incident quickly sparked a wave of outrage and confusion among customers. On the morning of December 30, dozens of people gathered in front of the bank branch, loudly demanding to enter and demanding clear information. "Let us in!" - many people shouted in anger.
A customer shared with Welt television that he could hardly sleep all night because of worry. This man said he had kept a safe at the bank for 25 years, keeping in it savings for old age.
Another customer said he put his family's cash and jewelry in the delivery box, and now he completely doesn't know if the assets are still or lost.
Up to now, Sparkasse bank in Gelsenkirchen has not yet made an official comment, further raising public questions about security responsibilities and the process of notifying customers in serious incidents.
On the investigation side, police said there were some initial clues. Witnesses testified that on the evening of December 27, they saw several men carrying large bags moving in the stairs of a parking lot adjacent to the bank. There were also reports of a black Audi RS 6 leaving the parking lot in the early morning of December 29, with masked men on the car.
Notably, the license plate of this Audi car coincides with a vehicle stolen in Hanover city, more than 200km from Gelsenkirchen. Police suspect this is the escape vehicle of the theft group and believe that the incident is related to a professional criminal gang, familiar with banking structures and security systems.
The burglary shocked Germany and shook public confidence in the safety of safes - which have long been considered the safest places to protect personal property.
