ANGELES CITY — A swift police response led to the arrest of a robbery suspect and the recovery of a stolen vehicle just hours after thieves broke into a residential home in Barangay Malabanias early Saturday, according to reports from the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3).

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on 12 October, intruders pried open a window of a house owned by Grace (surname withheld), 35, a local homemaker. The suspects fled with jewelry, luxury watches, foreign currency, and the victim’s silver Mitsubishi Mirage.

Acting on community tips and CCTV footage, Angeles City Police Station 4 officers tracked down 31-year-old Jhunlie (full name withheld), a construction worker from Mexico, Pampanga, within hours. Authorities recovered the stolen vehicle, along with a brown sling bag, rubber shoes, and clothing belonging to the victim.

Investigators identified a second suspect, alias “JP,” and two additional accomplices who remain at large. Police have launched a province-wide manhunt and urged residents to report any suspicious activity.

PRO3 Regional Director PBGen Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr. praised the quick resolution of the case, crediting the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) strategy—a system that prioritizes rapid intelligence-sharing and inter-unit coordination.

“Criminals will find no refuge in Central Luzon,” Peñones said.

The EMPO framework, spearheaded by Acting PNP Chief LtGen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., directs regional police operations to target theft rings and enhance inter-agency coordination. Official reports show a 22 percent reduction in property crimes across Pampanga since the program’s launch in January 2025.

Grace expressed her gratitude to investigators for the swift recovery of her vehicle, according to PRO3.

Peñones reminded residents to secure their homes and report any unusual activity to the police hotline at 0917-123-4567.

The manhunt for the other accomplices is ongoing, police said.