Thieves stole about €30 million in cash, gold, and jewellery. They broke into over 3,000 safe deposit boxes. The crime was discovered on Monday morning. A fire alarm at a bank in Gelsenkirchen alerted the police.
The thieves likely entered the bank's vault between Saturday night and Monday morning. They used a nearby parking garage to get in and out. This helped them work without being seen. They used special tools to open many boxes. This shows they planned the crime carefully.
Police said the break-in was done "very professionally." It was like a plan from a movie. Investigators have a difficult job. Customers are still checking what was stolen. The total value is about €30 million. Items included a lot of money, gold, and valuable jewellery.
A fire alarm led to the discovery. Emergency services and police found the vault damaged. Security camera footage showed a black Audi car leaving the parking garage. Some people saw men carrying heavy bags. This might help police find the thieves.
The thieves chose the Christmas holiday. This was a smart choice because fewer people were around. The bank is in the Buer district. No one has been arrested yet. Police are asking for help from the public. This crime shows that criminals are using new methods.