Bank Robbery: Safe Deposit Boxes Targeted in Stuhr, Germany – Mystery Illness Reported

German Bank Heists: Second Incident Reported in Stuhr Following Gelsenkirchen Vault Breach

A second German bank has been targeted by thieves, this time in Stuhr near Bremen, just weeks after a sophisticated heist at a Sparkasse bank in Gelsenkirchen. Police are currently investigating the incident, which occurred on Friday, but have yet to disclose the extent of the stolen property.

The break-in at the Stuhr branch of Volksbank occurred during the bank’s midday closure, according to police. The perpetrators gained access through a skylight in the basement, forcing open multiple doors to reach the safe deposit boxes. The number of boxes compromised remains unclear.

The incident took an unusual turn when bank employees began to experience feelings of nausea and illness. Police discovered an unidentified liquid had been sprayed in the basement, including on door handles. The nature of the substance and its purpose are currently under investigation.

“The firefighters, while checking the premises with breathing protection, did not detect any elevated readings,” police stated. Two bank employees were treated by paramedics at the scene but were not injured.

The Stuhr branch is located on a busy street near the town hall. Authorities are investigating whether security cameras were in operation both inside and outside the building, and are working to determine the number of individuals involved and their escape route.

Police noted that the Stuhr branch is relatively small, and given the timing of the break-in during the lunch break, the thieves likely had limited time to operate. “The perpetrators could not have had much time,” a police spokesperson said.

This latest incident follows a brazen heist in Gelsenkirchen at the end of December, where thieves drilled through a wall to access a Sparkasse bank vault. They proceeded to break into more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes, stealing cash, gold, and other valuables estimated to be worth around 30 million euros ($35 million).

The Gelsenkirchen robbery, which police described as “very professionally executed,” drew comparisons to the film *Ocean’s Eleven*. Investigators believe the perpetrators spent much of the weekend inside the bank, systematically opening the deposit boxes. Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags in the parking garage during the night of Saturday to Sunday. A black Audi RS 6 with stolen license plates was seen leaving the garage early Monday morning, with masked individuals inside.

Hundreds of distressed bank customers gathered outside the Gelsenkirchen branch on Tuesday, demanding information about the status of their belongings. Police estimate the average insurance value of each box was 10,000 euros, placing the total damage in the tens of millions.

The recent spate of bank robberies has raised concerns about security measures at financial institutions across Germany. Lawsuits have already been filed by victims of the Gelsenkirchen heist, seeking compensation for their losses.