CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (WUSA) -- Charles County authorities say officers saw a man load aluminum pieces into a van from a grocery store parking lot, and now he is charged with theft.

The incident happened last Thursday at 4:15 p.m., say sheriff's office authorities. The officers were in the area of Smallwood Shopping Center when they saw a man exit a white work van near the grocery store then load several aluminum stands that were lying in the parking lot into his vehicle. Authorities say the pieces were part of the cart return covers. The man returned to his van and then left the parking lot.

Officers stopped him and search the vehicle.  Authorities say the officers found the stands plus pieces of aluminum pipes stolen from the store the previous day. 

Fifty-two-year-old Joseph Alexander Freeman, Sr. was charged with theft.