PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — An Oakdale man is facing charges in the theft of 50 trash cans from Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

According to Pittsburgh police, Robert Chauvet has been charged with one count of felony – receiving stolen property. He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail.

The investigation into the thefts, which started in late 2010, has been ongoing for two-months.

Police say about 20 of the 50 stolen trash cans have been found.

Police say Chauvet started stealing the cans last September. Each time, he took them to the recycling plant on Neville Island to sell as scrap metal.

Plant employees say Chauvet used fake names each time he showed up and eventually they became suspicious and asked to see his ID.

They say Chauvet became nervous and took off.

Authorities report that the cost of the thefts, including the actual cost and replacement of the cans, is in excess of $50,000.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 31.

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