Public trash cans worth $40K stolen in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (AP) — An audit has determined trash cans worth nearly $40,000 have been stolen from Pittsburgh’s streets.

City public workers officials determined 39 of the heavy steel trash cans have been swiped since being purchased in 2009.

A city worker noticed one missing in March, prompting an inventory check. The thefts were reported to police last month.

Police recovered 12 of the 200-pound cans from a scrap yard. Sgt. Kevin Gasiorowski says the cans fetched between $23 and $40 apiece.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl used a $252,000 grant to buy 250 of the receptacles with a “Taking Care of Business” logo.