Oro Sugbo Pawnshop robbery leader arrested in Carcar City

CEBU, Philippines — After spending several years in hiding, the alleged mastermind behind the 2023 Oro Sugbo Jewelry and Pawnshop robbery was arrested on April 25, 2025, by virtue of a warrant of arrest.

Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, regional director of Police Regional Office-7, identified the suspect as Jake Camotes. He was arrested in Carcar City, Cebu, where he had been residing.

Maranan said that the group of Camotes was responsible in the robbery of Oro Sugbo Jewelry and Pawnshop on Colon Street in downtown Cebu City on November 25, 2023. One other member of the group had already been arrested and is currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility.

To recall, the group of Camotes reportedly made off P14 million worth of jewelry during the incident.

“Yes (utak sa hold-up), that is according yung mga kasamahan, nung ating inimbestigahan yung mga kasamahan niya ay nag-fully cooperate to the investigators and to the police at yun ang kanilang sinabi that's why we were able to establish na kasali siya doon," Maranan said during a press conference.

Authorities learned that Camotes had been moving frequently from one location to another in an effort to evade arrest. He is facing five arrest warrants for robbery.

During the operation, a caliber .45 pistol and a grenade were recovered from his possession. Maranan added that they are still searching for three more suspects linked to the pawnshop robbery. — / FPL (FREEMAN)