In a statement, the Lisbon Metropolitan Command (Cometlis) states that the 36-year-old man had been released from prison for seven months and “walked through the subway stations and surrounding areas, where he selected the victims, all female and some with advanced age”.

"The method used by the suspect would be to follow the victims inside the Lisbon Metro stations or to the entrance of their homes, places where he, through violence, stripped them of the valuable items they had," says the note.

On some occasions, he tore off "the earrings in their ears, causing them to be injured, not inhibiting him from attacking them when they offered resistance," he adds.

The man, who was in custody after being heard by the court, was arrested after being recognised by the victims as the perpetrator of the robberies.

The authorities estimate that the value of the theft amounts to 8,000 Euros.