Steven Averett, Content Director, Waste Group

June 1, 2009

1 Min Read
Taking Out the Garbage

For father and son garbage collectors Gary and Chris Checkan, the day began like any other. Their truck full, the pair stopped for lunch in Rochester, Pa., before heading to the landfill to unload. That was when they spotted 22-year-old Dale Robertson, suspected in the robbery of the nearby Huntington Bank, running by in a mask and hood. Chris jumped out of the truck and chased down Robertson, tackling him from behind. Gary, afraid the suspect had a gun (he didn't), rushed in to help subdue him.

Robertson also is thought to have perpetrated another bank robbery and six Subway shop holdups. The Checkans, who work for Valley Waste of Zelienople, Pa., are being hailed as heroes.

Bet the next day's route seemed awfully dull.

SOURCE: KDKA, Pittsburgh

About the Author(s)

Steven Averett

Content Director, Waste Group, Waste360

Steven Averett joined the Waste Age staff in February 2006. Since then he has helped the magazine expand its coverage and garner a range of awards from FOLIO, the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) and the Magazine Association of the Southeast (MAGS). He recently won a Gold Award from ASBPE for humor writing.

Before joining Waste Age, Steven spent three years as the staff writer for Industrial Engineer magazine, where he won a gold GAMMA Award from MAGS for Best Feature. He has written and edited material covering a wide range of topics, including video games, film, manufacturing, and aeronautics.

Steven is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned a BA in English.

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