Helper nabbed for stealing ₱3.6-M jewelry, gadgets from employer’s home

A house helper was arrested after he allegedly stole more than ₱ 3,600,000 worth of jewelry, gadgets, and other personal valuables from his employer’s home in Barangay Loyola Heights, Quezon City on Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Ritchie Claravall, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Anonas Station (PS 9) commander, identified the suspect as Pompeyo Antolin, 44, a native of Pangasinan and a stay-in helper in a house on Xavierville Avenue in Barangay Loyola Heights.

Based on police investigation, the suspect gained full access in the house, including the master’s bedroom, as he was working there for more than a year. He allegedly stole the jewelry and other items while his employer, Holly Ann Castaneda, and her husband were away.

Police said that at around 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14, Castaneda came home and noticed that Antolin was not around even until the next day. The victim tried to contact

Antolin but she received no response from him.

She later found out that some of their valuables like jewelry and gadgets kept in an open glass cabinet in the master’s bedroom were missing.

On Tuesday, the victim’s husband called Antolin’s friend, Noel Quero, to ask for help in contacting ang locating him. They also reported the incident to PS 9.

PS 9 operatives arrested Antolin after he went to Quero’s house in Cubao, Quezon City, where he and his friend agreed to meet at about 2:25 p.m. on the same day.

Castaneda positively identified the suspect and claimed that the necklace he was wearing belongs to her.

During police questioning, the PS 9 learned that the suspect mailed a box to her sister-in-law in Pangasinan last Nov. 12.

Operatives of the PS 9, along with the victim’s husband, went to Pangasinan and recovered the box containing more than P₱125,000 worth of jewelry, cellphones, a watch, and assorted clothes.

Police said that there are unrecovered items including four pieces of Ipad 9th Gen worth ₱124,000; four pieces of Iphone 11 worth ₱120,000; several signature perfumes valued at ₱23,700; eight pieces of collagen powder worth ₱7,200; a pair of shoes worth ₱5,500; a bag worth ₱1,500; a wallet worth ₱1,700; ₱3,000 worth of charms; and a watch worth ₱33,000, which were allegedly sent to Butuan City. Also unrecovered were around 1,112.87 grams of assorted jewelry worth ₱3,188,880.

The suspect will be charged with qualified theft before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, police said.