In a bizarre twist worthy of a crime comedy, a routine garbage pickup in Ohio turned into a dramatic arrest after a sanitation worker discovered a wanted suspect hiding inside a trash can.
The incident took place in Huber Heights after police officers attempted to pull over a vehicle. Instead of complying, the driver allegedly fled the scene on foot, prompting officers to quickly set up a perimeter in the surrounding area.
What they did not realise was that the suspect had chosen an unusual hiding spot, inside a garbage bin awaiting collection.
Dashcam footage later released by the police department captures the unexpected moment. As the sanitation worker prepared to empty a trash can into his truck, he lifted the lid, only to come face-to-face with the fugitive curled up inside.
sanitation worker in Ohio found a wanted suspect hiding in a trash can after he fled a traffic stop— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) February 24, 2026
Clearly startled by the discovery, the worker immediately alerted officers who were already combing the neighbourhood.
Within seconds, the suspect sprang out of the bin and made another desperate attempt to escape. The video shows an officer jumping out of a cruiser and chasing him down on foot.
The brief pursuit ended quickly, with the suspect taken into custody without any injuries reported.
Adding a touch of humour to the unusual episode, the department later quipped on social media, nicknaming the man “Oscar the Grouch”, a playful reference to the beloved fictional character known for living in a trash can.
Authorities confirmed that thanks to the sanitation worker’s swift action and a bit of unexpected timing, the suspect’s attempt to evade arrest quite literally went to waste.
