Shock one year after the break-in: 3,200 lockers in Gelsenkirchen empty!

Shock one year after the break-in: 3,200 lockers in Gelsenkirchen empty!

A spectacular burglary made headlines in Gelsenkirchen-Buer at the end of last year. Unknown perpetrators cracked more than 3,000 lockers in a Sparkasse branch and caused damage estimated to be in the double-digit million range. The police have started the investigation, which is considered one of the largest criminal cases in North Rhine-Westphalia, and are now faced with the challenge of dealing with the entire situation. Loud World The burglars broke through a wall using a core drill to get into the vault, where they wreaked havoc between 10:45 a.m. and 2:44 p.m. on December 27, 2025.

Police have already released video images of three masked perpetrators and two stolen vehicles. Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) informed the state parliament's Interior Committee about the status of the investigation and emphasized that there were many open questions. The SPD opposition criticized the state government's late reaction and called for a special session, while Reul said he initially remained silent so as not to spread false information.

Investigations and interviews with victims

The questioning of the more than 3,000 affected customers has now begun and is expected to take several weeks ZDF reported. The police have rented office space to organize the extensive discussions. The victims are required to make an appointment for questioning using their locker number and, if possible, to appear alone. They should also bring documents or evidence about the items from their subjects.

A central question in the investigation is how the perpetrators managed to bypass the alarm system without triggering the false alarm that discovered the break-in on December 27th. The police appeal to all victims to provide as precise information as possible about their lockers when making statements.

Consequences for the savings bank and security precautions

The savings bank is now facing legal action from affected customers who are questioning possible breaches of duty on the part of the bank. However, Michael Klotz, the head of the Sparkasse, made it clear that the branch's security measures corresponded to the recognized state of the art. This could be crucial for the bank to get out of the affair with a black eye.

The explosiveness of the case is underlined not only by the amount of financial loss, but also by the fact that crime can be observed in Germany as a whole. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, the number of robberies on financial institutions is on an increasing trend. Comprehensive statistics can be found on Statista can be viewed, which further illustrates the current situation.