Following a spectacular break-in at a savings bank in Gelsenkirchen, police have released a series of images taken from a surveillance camera. “The images come from the parking garage through which the perpetrators gained access to the adjacent bank building,” police said on Saturday.
The low-quality footage, recorded on December 29, shows three masked men and two vehicles. “Both vehicles had fake license plates, the Audi with plates from Hanover and the Mercedes with plates from Beckum,” police added. Investigators hope the images will lead to information on whether the vehicles were parked anywhere in the days leading up to and around the Christmas period.
According to police, the burglars accessed the bank from the parking garage and drilled a hole into the vault room. Once inside, they forced open around 3,200 safe deposit boxes and stole their contents, including cash, jewelry, and gold. With an insured value of just over €10,000 per box, the total estimated damage exceeds €30 million.
Police are appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone who can provide information about the individuals or vehicles involved, or about the whereabouts of the vehicles before or after the incident on December 29, 2025, is asked to come forward. Information can be submitted directly via the police search portal or by calling 0209/365-8112 during office hours or 0209/365-8240 outside office hours.
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