Police: 4 nabbed over Tarlac hardware store robbery

Police on Sunday, July 19, 2026, arrested four men in Pampanga for allegedly breaking into a hardware store in Tarlac. (Photo courtesy Philippine National Police) MANILA, Philippines — Four men were arrested for allegedly robbing a hardware store in Tarlac, the Police Regional Office Central Luzon (PRO 3) said on Wednesday. Police tracked down the four suspects in separate locations in Porac town and Mabalacat City, Pampanga, last Sunday, PRO 3 director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez told reporters in a phone interview. Although Mendez did not name them, he identified one of the arrested suspects as the group’s leader, who is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for frustrated murder and robbery. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Tipsters receive over P9M for arrest of 21 wanted persons READ: Tarlac cop kills 3 robbers who held up his vape shop The group was traced through security footage capturing their vehicle following the robbery of a hardware store in Bamban, Tarlac, early morning on July 16, according to the Central Luzon police chief. “They gained entry by destroying the fire exit window,” the inquest resolution against the four suspects explained. “Once inside, they took a vault containing cash worth P81,020 and two Ingco impact drills worth P3,500, then exited the establishment by destroying the lock of the back door,” it added. Article continues after this advertisement Mendez noted that all four suspects, now under police custody, underwent inquest proceedings on Tuesday for robbery and illegal possession of firearms charges. The Central Luzon top cop added that, based on their investigation, the group was also allegedly involved in a robbery case in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, and three more robbery incidents in Isabela province, but he did not provide more details. Article continues after this advertisement “We have two more suspects we’re monitoring, but it seems they’ve already gone into hiding,” he said in Filipino. — With reports by Rendell Ivan Manuel, INQUIRER.net trainee /mcm Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.