German police are investigating one of the largest bank robberies in recent years after thieves stole an estimated $35 million from a bank in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, during the festive holiday period.
Authorities said the highly coordinated heist took place between the night of December 27 and the morning of December 28, a time when security at many institutions is typically reduced due to the holidays.
According to police, the suspects bypassed the bank’s security systems and drilled through a reinforced wallto gain access to the vault. Once inside, they reportedly broke intomore than 3,000 safety deposit boxes, stealing cash belonging to over 2,700 clients.
Police officers arrived at the scene at around 10:00 a.m. on December 28, where they discovered that nearly 95 percent of the money stored in the vault had been taken. Investigators believe the criminals used advanced, professional-grade equipment, indicating a carefully planned operation.
“This was a very professionally executed crime,” a police spokesperson said. “The perpetrators used specialized tools and showed a high level of organization. Investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible and recover the stolen funds.”
The incident has triggered public outrage, with dozens of affected clients staging protests outside the bank on December 30. Demonstrators demanded clear explanations regarding the breach and assurances about the safety of their assets.
In a statement, the bank confirmed the theft and acknowledged that a significant portion of the funds had been stolen. However, it reassured customers that it is cooperating fully with authorities and that investigations are underway.
Police have called on the public to provide any information that could assist the investigation, as officers continue to analyze surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and possible leads.
The robbery has renewed concerns about bank security during holiday periods, prompting calls for stricter safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
