German Police Force Safe Deposit Box Owners to Appear After Major Burglary

German authorities are escalating efforts to solve the massive Sparkasse Gelsenkirchen burglary, with prosecutors ordering the forced appearance of 30 safe deposit box owners who have failed to attend scheduled interrogations. The dramatic move by the Essen public prosecutor's office, announced by Gelsenkirchen police, targets individuals who have not responded to official summonses.

The incident, which occurred on December 29, 2025, saw unknown perpetrators break into around 3,200 safe deposit boxes. The thieves gained access by drilling a hole into the vault from an adjacent parking garage. The stolen items included money, jewelry, and gold, leading to an estimated total damage exceeding 30 million euros, based on insurance values of approximately ten thousand euros per box.

While most of the affected box owners have been interviewed, the non-compliance of these 30 individuals has prompted the police action. Investigators continue to pursue numerous leads and analyze evidence, with over 650 tips received since the safe deposit boxes were breached. The police are still appealing for witnesses who may have observed suspicious activity or can provide information about the perpetrators, who remain unidentified.

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these persons will therefore now be forcibly brought in by the police