FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
More than 2,500 clients were harmed by this 30 million euro robbery
One of the largest robberies in German criminal history took place at the savings bank in Gelsenkirchen.
Some still unidentified individuals have opened over 3,200 safes, where they stole money, gold and valuables valued at around 30 million euros.
More than 2,500 customers were affected by this robbery, writes the German media "Saarbruecker Zeitung".
The theft was discovered on Monday morning, after a fire alarm at the bank.
The perpetrators entered through several doors and used a specialized device to open the safes. Witnesses reported suspicious movement Saturday night, and security cameras captured a black car with stolen license plates Monday morning.
The bank still does not have detailed information on the exact amount of money and items stolen, as each safe is individually insured.
According to investigators, the value of the damages could be even higher than 30 million euros.
Customer dissatisfaction grew after the theft, as crowds gathered in front of the branch to demand information and retrieve their belongings.
Police intervened to ensure order, while the bank announced that the decision to reopen the branch would be made after the completion of the investigation and security assessment.
The fire alarm that was sounded on Saturday did not reveal any damage at that time, and the investigation into this massive robbery is still ongoing.
How did the robbery happen?
According to police, the perpetrators entered the bank through a parking garage, through several doors in a filing room, and drilled a large hole in the safe room. After the robbery, they fled using the same route, along with the stolen items.
The series of robberies at the bank branch may have lasted for several days: witnesses spotted several people with large bags on the steps of an adjacent parking garage on Saturday evening. Early Monday morning, security cameras in the parking garage captured a black Audi RS6 with stolen license plates in Hanover. Masked men were inside the car, one of whom was manning the exit barrier.
The amount of cash, gold and valuables the perpetrators stole is still under investigation. According to investigators, the figure of 30 million euros is simply a rough estimate based on insurance coverage. Each safe is insured for 10,300 euros, according to Sparkasse Gelsenkirchen.
"We are assuming a double-digit figure of one million euros," said a police spokesman.
As the savings bank announced on its website, among other things, more than 95 percent of customer safes at this branch were broken into.
Riot in front of the bank
Worried customers gathered outside the branch for the second day in a row. The savings bank had previously promised a reopening and initial information for those affected. The number of people waiting in the cold grew.
"We want to enter, we want to enter," they shouted.
The situation threatened to escalate. Several people pushed past security guards in the lobby of the savings bank. The police arrived in several patrol cars and secured the entrance.
It also made some announcements: “The bank will remain closed today. Information is available on the savings bank’s website. Please go home.”
During the day, the bank published some information online.
"The decision on whether to open the Buer branch will depend on the security situation," she stated.
"First of all, we express our deepest regret," explained an employee who was at the scene, while answering questions from the press.
He noted that police initially secured evidence by Monday afternoon. A hotline is now available at certain times. Due to extensive structural damage, bank employees are currently unable to access the vault.
Even after the savings bank issued its statement, people continued to shout loudly in front of the building.
Was the fire alarm a warning?
Could the burglary have been discovered earlier? According to police, a fire alarm went off in the bank building on Saturday. Police and firefighters arrived at the scene around 6:15 a.m., but “found nothing to indicate any damage ,” according to a recent statement.
The exact sequence of events during this incident is also the subject of ongoing investigation.
Lini një Përgjigje