GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Police operatives arrested a 26-year-old man believed to be a notorious thief of peso WiFi vending machines during an early-morning operation along Quezon Avenue, Barangay Dadiangas North, at around past 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
The suspect was identified as alias “Ron-Ron,” an electrician and resident of Purok Pandian, Barangay Labangal, General Santos City.
According to authorities, the arrest followed mounting complaints from residents and business owners over a series of WiFi vending machine thefts in the area. Barangay Kagawad Armela Espanola personally raised the issue with Police Station 1 a day earlier, citing the alarming increase in theft incidents in Barangay Dadiangas North.
In response, police immediately intensified patrols and surveillance operations. During the operation, officers caught the suspect in the act of stealing a peso WiFi vending machine.
Recovered from the suspect’s possession were the stolen WiFi vendo machine, a bolt cutter allegedly used to force open vending units, a knife, and two sachets of suspected shabu. Further inspection at the suspect’s residence led to the discovery of several additional vending machines and a machine reportedly used for a car wash, which authorities are now examining to determine ownership and possible links to other theft cases.
The suspect is currently detained at Police Station 1 while authorities prepare the filing of appropriate charges, including theft and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Police are also investigating whether the suspect is connected to other unsolved vending machine thefts in General Santos City.
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and to immediately report suspicious activities, stressing that community cooperation remains crucial in curbing property crimes in the city.