PORTLAND – A Portland man has been arrested on charges of committing four of the six recent taxicab robberies that left some Portland cab drivers on edge.

Police said Manuel Loureiro, 30, was a heroin addict who committed the crimes to support his habit.

Loureiro, who was arrested Thursday, faces one count of violating bail conditions in addition to the four robbery counts. He was free on bail after being charged last month with breaking into four sandwich shops.

Even though two of the recent cab robberies remain under investigation, news of the arrest brought cheer to the local taxi industry.

“The drivers will be totally relieved,” said Maryann McDonough, a dispatcher for ABC Taxi in Portland. “It’s all anyone has been talking about.”

Loureiro, who became a suspect when a South Portland detective reported he matched a description, was spotted outside a Congress Street drugstore. He tried to run, but was apprehended after a short chase.

If convicted, he faces up to 30 years on each robbery count.