So that's where our trash cans are going

Has your city-issued garbage can turned up missing lately? Turns out you might be the victim of those wily scrap metal thieves: According to KHOU, folks are now using the big, black, wheeled plastic trash cans to store their scrap metal booty:

They stick their stolen scrap in stolen City of Houston garbage cans. Then, if they see a police officer coming down the street they just pull the can over to the curb and walk away. After the unsuspecting police officer rolls past, the thief simply walks back and rolls away the garbage can like nothing ever happened.

And the trash can’s owner has to call police and file an offense report before the city government will replace the ripped off receptacle.

Damn those criminal masterminds! Now where are we supposed to put our trash? Oh, right — a new city-issued trash can. But it's not so easy to get a new can, apparently: "It was like an act of Congress just to get a garbage can," homeowner Roy Martinez told Channel 11. "Send you to this person and then call that person. 'No, we’re not in charge, call that person.' You know, just constant red, red, red tape." Our suggestion: If scrap metal thieves make off with your trash can, go grab one from the mayor's house. We bet he can get all the trash cans he wants.

The problem with the disappearing trash cans isn't just the burden on homeowners: The cost of the cans adds up pretty quickly, it seems. "Approximately 1,000 cans were stolen in a year's time, since last year. And it costs the City of Houston about $45 for each individual can," Marina Joseph with the city's Solid Waste Department said.