Authorities in Portland, Ore., said a man stole 21 older-model Toyota Camrys in a single month to sell the owners' belongings for meth.

Investigators said Kirk Leon Pierce, 28, would steal the Camrys while the owners were shopping in grocery stores or asleep in their homes and empty them of belongings including tools, clothes and a $3,000 set of dentures, The (Portland) Oregonian reported Friday.

"He'd go looking for his next car while he was driving the stolen car, dump that stolen car he was in, grab the next car and drive away," Portland Officer Jack Gillintine Jr. said.

Pierce, who was caught after a car owner spotted him in the act, was arrested and charged with 96 counts, including multiple charges of theft, possession of stolen vehicles and identity theft. He was being held in lieu of $480,000 bond.

Prosecutors said the number of charges could result in a life sentence for Pierce if he is convicted.