Germany launches manhunt to catch robbers who stole $7.6m from Customs office
The heist that struck the customs office in the western city of Duisburg took place 1 November
German investigators on Wednesday launched a manhunt for suspects who made off with 6.5 million Euros ($7.6 million) in cash after breaking into a customs office, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"The break-in was professionally planned and carried out. Three as yet unidentified perpetrators used a drill to get to the vault from an adjoining room in the cellar of the building," police said in a statement.
The heist that struck the customs office in the western city of Duisburg, took place 1 November.
According to witnesses, there were drilling sounds starting at around 6:00am and three hours later, three men dressed in dark clothing and dark knit caps were seen walking in and out of the building to load objects into a white van with sliding doors.
They then drove off with the van.
One of the witnesses said a man was walking around the customs office before getting into a car and driving off in the same direction as the van.
Photographs of the man taken by the witness were published by police, who are offering a 100,000-euro reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of the suspects.
Germany has been hit by several high-profile heists, with banks and museums frequent targets. Most recently in Berlin, at least three bank robbery attempts were reported over the summer.