I'm really wondering what he was doing digging in that trash can. I hope he's not a spy who was supposed to pick up a piece of sensitive information in the trash can. "What were you doing, sir?" / "I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you." *Instantly gets arrested.* Most likely this is just a guy looking for recyclables. The streets of a Los Angeles are filled with these people. They don't have a traditional job for one reason or another (no judgement here), so they collect recyclables. You have to make a living somehow, right?
I feel like he should be able to get out of that simply by turning his head to the side. Then again, when you're panicking you don't end up making the wisest decisions, especially if your nose is filled with the smell of trash.