Robbers Drill into German Bank Vault, Stealing Millions

BERLIN, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Authorities reported that thieves took advantage of the quiet Christmas period to penetrate the vault of a German retail bank, absconding with at least 10 million euros in cash and valuables from customer deposit boxes. The criminals drilled through a thick concrete wall at a Sparkasse branch in Gelsenkirchen, successfully accessing several thousand safe deposit boxes and making off with a sum estimated in the double-digit millions of euros, according to police statements. Most businesses and banks in Germany typically close for the Christmas holiday beginning the evening of December 24, and the breach was discovered only after a fire alarm was triggered early on Monday, December 29. Frustrated customers gathered outside the bank on Tuesday, demanding access, with some voicing their concerns to reporters. One individual mentioned having difficulty sleeping the previous night due to the lack of information regarding his safe, which he had relied on for 25 years to store his retirement savings. Another customer indicated that his deposit box held cash and jewelry intended for his family. A representative from the Sparkasse in Gelsenkirchen was not available for immediate comment. Police investigations revealed that witnesses had seen several men carrying large bags in the stairwell of a nearby parking garage on Saturday night. Additionally, there were reports of a black Audi RS 6 leaving the garage with masked occupants early Monday morning; the vehicle's license plate matched that of a stolen car from Hanover, over 200 kilometers northeast of Gelsenkirchen, authorities said. Reporting by Rachel More; Editing by Hugh Lawson Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.