Kenneth Brooks, 50, and Nicola Weydeveld, 19, were spotted by a security guard with a suspicious number of rubbish bins.

The security guard alerted Santa Fe police, who were allegedly told by Mr Weydeveld that the bins were for personal use.

One of the stolen bins were valued at over $3,200, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports.

The two men are being held on larceny charges with bail set at $2,500 each.