oddly enough there was an article in the nytimes this past week about NYC cracking down on people "stealing" items from the city's recycling program (aka picking up things from the curbside); it's ticketable though, not a criminal charge.

but I'd have to agree with you dwaine, in general you'd be hard pressed to find many people being charged for taking salvageable items out of people's garbage (once it's at the curb).

kemmer, do you have any more details reflecting what, exactly, you were charged with... and were you ever prosecuted?

(not a lawyer, not legal advice).