A man suspected of harassing women on a bus in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, has been arrested and charged with provoking trouble, according to the Hangzhou-based news portal Zhejiang Online.

The man, surnamed Xu, confessed to sticking needles into several female passengers, Lucheng Public Security said on Sunday. Xu said he stabbed the women with needles to "attract attention" and hoped it would lead to a relationship.

Xu, 25, a construction worker from Hubei province, said he doesn't have a girlfriend.

Police learned about the incidents on the bus on March 27 when a woman surnamed Lin was pricked on the hip and found a 4-to-5-centimeter-long needle in her leg. She reported the incident to police.

At least another three similar cases have been reported, according to the Wenzhou Metropolis Paper

The victims all took the same bus line during rush hour. All are young women between the ages of 20 and 30.

Xu said the needles were not infected with any viruses.

Police also searched Xu's apartment and found three needles.