Some people want to sincerely help the environment. Making a little bit on the side never hurt, either.

After seeing his suspicious vehicle, Miami police stopped Elio Valero a few feet outside of a local recycling center. He had a 40-foot-long street lamp, owned by Florida’s Department of Transportation, strapped to the top of his minivan and planned on cashing the massive pole in as scrap.

Stopped just short of Miami Recovery & Recycling, Valero claimed that the tight economy made him desperate for cash. He added that the light pole had been downed and on the sidewalk near his house for two or three months. Since DOT workers never claimed the scrap, he figured he’d do his part to recycle.

He’d driven the pole nearly 40 blocks, with red rags attached to each end to alert motorists of the large haul.

Valero wasn’t the only “recycling” catch of the day for Miami police: As they were taking snapshots for evidence, a second man, Joseph Moniz, was seen rolling a manhole cover towards the center.

Officers promptly arrested him. Both men are being charged with grand theft and dealing a stolen good.

Tags: Department of Transportation, Going green, Miami, Recycling