Robbers break into German bank's underground vault & steal S$45 million in valuables, allegedly spent most of the weekend inside

A daring bank heist took place in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, over the weekend.

According to German media reports, the thieves broke into around 3,200 safe deposit boxes, affecting over 2,000 customers.

The total amount of valuables stolen, including cash, gold, and jewellery, was worth over 30 million euros (S$45 million).

BBC reported that the police were made aware of the break-in after a fire alarm was set off on Monday.

Methods

Initial investigations suggest the robbers gained access to the bank and escaped via a parking garage nearby.

They drilled a hole into the bank from there using a specialised drill that went through several doors.

The crime was suspected to have taken place over the weekend, with German police saying the thieves had used the "quiet Christmas days" to rob the building.

Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags on the staircase of the garage overnight on Saturday night to Sunday.

Video footage showed a black Audi RS 6 leaving the garage.

German news outlet Handelsblatt reported that the robbers had earlier stolen a car license plate.

According to AFP, a police spokesman likened the break-in to Ocean's Eleven, calling it "very professionally executed".

Hundreds of customers gathered outside the bank seeking answers after news of the robbery came out.

The perpetrators are still at large.

Image from Reuters