He was initially detained by two Police Community Support Officers in Chiswick, west London, on Tuesday.
They became suspicious when they saw the 39-year-old using his laptop outside a house in Prebend Gardens.
When questioned he admitted to using someone else's unsecured wi-fi broadband connection. He has been bailed pending further inquiries.
The case is now being handled by the Metropolitan Police's computer crime unit.
Det Con Mark Roberts said: "This arrest should act as a warning to anyone who thinks it is acceptable to illegally use other people's broadband connections."
Dishonestly obtaining free internet access is an offence under the Communications Act 2003 and a potential breach of the Computer Misuse Act.
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