Sherwin Shayegan was arrested on Sunday on a harassment charge: Port Authority Police

A man dubbed the “Piggyback Bandit” has been arrested after he allegedly jumped on the back of a high school footballer.

Sherwin Shayegan, 35, mounted the teenager without his consent during a sports rally at Falkville High School in Alabama earlier this month, police said.

The student initially thought it was one of his classmates but shrugged him off when he realised it was a stranger, Falkville Police Chief Chris Free told ABC News.

Mr Shayegan then handed the pupil a note and walked away, he said.

The message said the teenager looked good in shorts and had a nice bottom, he added. The note also contained $20 (£15.40).

The student showed the note to his mother and football coaches, who told police about the incident.

Mr Shayegan was subsequently arrested on a harassment charge. Chief Free said he would work Morgan County District Attorney’s office to decide whether to file further charges against him.

Mr Shayegan was nicknamed the “Piggyback Bandit” after he was found to be involved in scores of similar incidents in Washington, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota in 2012.

He was banned from high school sporting events in all five states.

His mother has previously said he has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.