A gang of thieves executed an audacious heist at a Deutsche Bank branch in Lübeck, Germany, stealing over £16.7 million (approximately €19 million) from more than 300 deposit boxes. The criminals spent a full day inside the bank, hiding in offices before looting the vaults and escaping early the next morning.
The incident took place on December 20, 2022, when the suspects entered the bank around midday. They managed to remain undetected for 17 hours, looting the deposit boxes after closing time. The bank’s alarm system failed to activate during the heist, only going off after the thieves had already fled at 05:00 the next morning. They left the scene just before police arrived, successfully evading capture.
In a striking detail, the gang brought a portable toilet with them, likely to avoid leaving any DNA evidence in the bank’s restrooms. According to private investigator Josef Resch, who has been hired to assist in the investigation, the toilet was likely a chemical model commonly used by campers. This unusual approach has raised speculation about the possibility of an insider aiding the gang, potentially someone affiliated with the bank or a related security or cleaning company.
The heist has since been dubbed the “coat gang” due to the long coats worn by the thieves to conceal their identities. They were seen donning face masks and caps as they entered the bank, which has left authorities baffled at how they managed to execute such a bold crime without being detected.
In response to the heist, victims of the crime have banded together to offer a reward of around £263,235 (€300,000) for information that could lead to the capture of the thieves. Resch expressed confidence that this reward could yield crucial tips. He noted that a bank security guard had seen two individuals with SUVs in the courtyard but failed to write down their licence plates, a missed opportunity that might have aided the investigation.
The public prosecutor’s office confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with spokesperson Jens Buscher stating, “The value of the stolen goods now amounts to over €19 million.” The brazen nature of the heist, combined with the meticulous planning involved, has drawn significant media attention and left many questions unanswered about how the gang managed to pull off such a significant crime without leaving behind a trace.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events of that night while bank customers remain hopeful for the return of their lost valuables. The unique tactics employed by the thieves have underscored the growing challenges that financial institutions face in safeguarding against such coordinated attacks.
