Gone In 10 Minutes: Thieves Nab Travolta’s $100K Mercedes-Benz

September 19, 2011 11:50 PM

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SANTA MONICA (CBS) — Thieves drove off with actor John Travolta’s vintage 1970 Mercedes-Benz while he was shopping at a Jaguar dealership in Santa Monica Sunday, police reported.

Travolta left the car, estimated at $100,000, in a residential area in the 14000 block of Berkeley Street. The actor then walked to the dealership on Olympic Boulevard, according to Santa Monica police.

The “Saturday Night Fever” star spent only 10 minutes inside before he came back and found his car had been stolen.

He walked inside a local liquor store for help.

“He asked me if I had any cameras seeing that way and I said, ‘No, I’m sorry,’” said the owner of the liquor store, Farshad Okhoval.

Okhoval didn’t know who Travolta was — “Do I have to know everybody?”

Travolta went on to ask Okhoval if he’d seen anyone stealing his car, but the owner said he hadn’t witnessed the grand theft auto.

Gone In 10 Minutes: Thieves Nab Travoltas $100K Mercedes Benz

(credit: CBS)

“He was worried not upset,” Okhoval said.

Santa Monica police have no leads on the suspect.

“A car can be lifted in under a minute depending on if you’re a professional…depending on whether you know the security features of a car,”Sgt. Richard Lewis said.

The actor reportedly left the convertible unlocked but had the key with him.

Travolta’s rep said he had no comment on the theft.

Mehilangelino

You know what the really sad thing is? That there are people born in this country, first gen, who are in their twenties, and do NOT know who John Travolta is. In fact, they know nothing about American pop culture.

Thats the really sad thing and that there are apparently thieves who follow cars like this to be left behind to be stolen, which I think it what might of happened here. No one should get their cars stolen, if they cost $1000 or $100,000, it sucks.

Hope John finds it soon.

Looneytoonsindville

Not knowing who John Travolta is could be a major blessing. Just sayin’!!

Xen

Crime is on the rise down in S.M.
garcam

Agreed! That a dufus, uneducated pretty boy can rise up to such exalted status in this mindless drivel maddened country is a reflection on how sad it really is in this country.
This slug was nothing more than a high school dropout who happened to be able to read his lines on tv. Some great accomplishment.
How sad that he is any kind of role model.
He should have have been more aware in these times. Everyone who has valuable property needs to be more aware. Thing are very bad in this country for 80% of the population. Think there won’t be a price to be paid for robbing all of the people of their everyday common houses and jobs? This is a perfect example of the price to be paid.
KENYAN STEALS WHITE HOUSE
Gene

Agreed! In reality he is very strange.

G-Man

Shatttup Mehilangelino, no need to kiss Travolta’s bottom….. Do you think he’s going to send you a check for your sypathetic dribble?

Mehilangelino

No. My point is that YOU know who Travolta is, right? You can dislike him call him anything you want, even know exactly his career like GARCAM above does, which to me says more about him actually being a big closet fan than anything else.

So regardless of how you feel about Travolta, he hasn’t done anything bad to me, he’s not beating women and then appearing on shows, etc. he’s not a thug, etc. etc.. that there are people who simply do not know.

I’ve asked the same people if they know who Jimi Hendrix is… nothing… its as if American popular culture is dissapearing is my point. Travolta made a cultural impact, he’s famous for several movie roles much like Stallone, Arnold, Pacino, etc., but people who come to this country seem like they have NO interest in learning ANYTHING about anything American, down to Apple pie.

Thats my point. I don’t care what you think about me or if you get annoyed, you’re misplacing your annoyance foolishly. This could happen to you or me.

Ge0ffrey

Sad? What’s sad about not knowing about American pop culture, which is thoroughly bankrupt. Travolta is bloated and overblown and overrated.

What’s sad is that there are thousands of cars stolen everyday and the poor owners don’t receive the coverage or attention that they should.

Mehilangelino

Because it was expensive car by someone who’s famous. I have to repeat myself to you now, but my point is that there are people who are born or come to this country who don’t know who certain key pop culture icons are, even classic rock stars. Just certain things that you can’t even have a conversation with them about say, Blues Rock, or RECENT historical events, nothing, and they are born here. When I was a kid, born here, I knew who and what stuff was, I had a curiosity an interest in American things. Some have such an issue with America that they don’t want to know, but yet are here. Its odd. LIke you.

Nick

Why is it sad that someone does not know who John Travolta is? I think its sad if you can’t tell me where the Declaration of Independence was written, but I bet a lot more people know 5 John Travolta movies than where the Declaration was written. Not knowing pop culture is not a sad thing, it is completely useless knowledge.
UyeahU

No, the really sad thing is that there are people born in the county who are not even first generation who don’t know what our Constitution says, who our Founders were, the religious principles under which our country was founded, who don’t even know who Jesus was or why He died, Know nothing of the Pilgrims or the Puritans, who think entitlements are rights, who don’t understand the difference between our founding principles and those of, socialists, communists, or fascists, who don’t know why the Civil War was fought, who don’t know the players in WWII and why America became involved, who don’t know we saved most of Europe, helped make Japan the dynamic economy that it became after the war, who can barely read, calculate, speak clearly, and who forget we were once the greatest and freest nation on planet Earth, That is what is sad.

Sorry John’s car was stolen, but that’s hardly the end of the world.

Mare

Gosh! Did you say a mouth full!!!!! And all so true!!!!!!! And one more thing, that’s “sad.” And that is…all the ignorant bimbo’s that are allowed to vote. These crazies have no idea about anything, and they go vote for some hack, who destroys America. Now! that’s big time sad! Before being allowed to vote, it should be mandatory everyone submits to a test of ones mental state and knowledge.
Not knowing who John Travolta is…that’s a sad thing? Oh! Please!
Mehilangelino

I’m making a point based on this story, in relation to a pop culture icon. Sad as in just one aspect of ignorance that extends to this countries laws, history, constitution, etc. etc. yes. If say a politicians car was stolen, then maybe I’d mention how sad that people don’t know who he or she was. Its in relation to a pop culture figure my comment. Calm the effers down.

Frank

Rumor has it when you reach OT VII and go clear, the true test is if all memory of anything Travolta has been washed from your brain.

just sayin’
CB

People not knowing who he is, that’s sad?

LADriver

Welcome to the nitty-gritty of…………. Santa Monica. You thought I was going to say L.A. But this auto theft happened in an above average community. By the way, there is very sloppy reporting in this article. The dealership is on Santa Monica Blvd at 1400 Berkeley St. As for the theft. A professional thief recognized the value of the car and obviously know how to start it. I hope he get’s it back. It’s worth a lot more toegether than in parts. Even celebs have to suffer some time.

Astonished

He parks a $100,000.00 vehicle on the street, at night, unlocked and then is surprised that someone took it. Really? Is he really that nieve?

Darrell Nelson

this guy could also afford topline security as well, like a lojack if he really loved the car.

Pete

I am looking for two wifes. My present and a new!

HollywoodSaint

I had my wife stolen once, but unfortunately for me……she found her way home. whether its your wife or your car…it sucks when someone you dont know takes it for a joyride….que sera sera
Looneytoonsindville

Sounds like John needed a little quick cash from his insurance company.

Jerry Allen

I am with ya brother…why ya walking down the road and not just parking in the dealership lot?…does have a smell to it
Hoot4RE

Leaving an expensive car with apparently NO type of security protection in a strange residental area then walking to a car lot and then staying there ONLY 10 minutes???
And WHERE was Your Cell Phone John????

Suspisious…..,

Paddy.S

Does it make a difference if the convertible is left locked or unlocked?
sailordude

Why is Travolta driving a pink p o s old car like that? C’mon man!
John marshall

Now think about it. If you were that theif and had travoltas car, wouldnt you be just a little worried about being found by travoltas people looking for you and the car?

cruisnsus

yeah,especially since he’s visiting Mrs. John Gotti for a movie role.

TK

Dumb question, why didn’t Travolta park the car in the dealership parking? Leaving a classic Benz parked top down is an invitation for it to be taken in a neighborhood with a package store. Geez be a lil brighter man.

Freak Show

He believes in scientology – how smart can he be? The character Barbarino was smarter than Travolta – Barbarino wouldn’t buy the con job of scientology.
Mermaid

Hello TK! My thoughts exactly! He might have been visiting one of his boyfriends!!!

pynaetlb

If that’s a picture of John’s car, this is just an insurance scam. That car isn’t worth more than $30K.
Guapo

Tax this guy and other celebrity ilk at 85%
Sum Guy

“He was worried not upset,” Okhoval said.

Of course he was worried. He’s worried if he’s going to be able to pull off this insurance scam without being caught.
Trevor Olson

I have a lead for Johnny Travolta. I heard the perp’s nickname is “Grease Lightning”. Hope this helps. Maybe Oprah can send out an appeal over her network to have the car returned. It could go like this, “Oprah says return the car NOW!”
Carol

Is this really what we’re going to concentrate on – Hollywood woes?
Get real! Crime happens all over and most doesn’t get this kind of press.
Report the incident to the cops and your insurance company, Travolta.
Trevor Olson

The script for “Battlefield Earth II was also in the car, along with John’s hairpiece, which is why the devil water salesman didn’t know who he was.
Trevor Olson

Mr Okhoval also owns an auto body shop.

jgan

i smell this too. it stinks. not having a secutiry camera nearby. though mr benz guy really shouldve invested in a LOJACK, im sure he can very well afford it. and who is this travolta guy anyway, IS HE FAMOUS OR SUMPTHIN?

http://thecryptojournalist.wordpress.com The Cryptojournalist

Don’t fret. Travolta is what they call an Operating Thetan. He will simply will his car back, since he has the Scientological power to do so

http://rhymeandreasonable.com
deedee

why didnt he just leave a note on it..that read “STEAL ME”…. d

joe

Hey I Don’t like alot of his stuff. Or beleive his Sciotolegy. You should be able to leave your car for ten min. Don’t hate Travolta hate the theif.

chris w.

Marvin was dead in the back seat. This was Mr. Wolf’s way of taking care of a problem.
Erik

There are many things for Americans to worry about that are far more important than not knowing who John Travolta is or the fact that his car got stolen. I can’t believe this article has so many comments.

Dumb Ass

I can’t beleive you added to the comments if you feel that way.

lulu

oh soooo spread the wealth….
Daniel

If Barbarino was smart enough to drvie to the dealership instead of parking on a city street he wouldn’t have this problem. Ever heard of putting GPS in high end cars little Johnny? Mama says stupid is as stupid does.
Hank Warren

Illegals stealing everything not nailed down, yet another violation of our rights. Add it to the list of gov’t violations of our rights:
They violate the 1st Amendment by placing protesters in cages, banning books like “America Deceived II” and censoring the internet.
They violate the 2nd Amendment by confiscating guns.
They violate the 4th and 5th Amendment by molesting airline passengers.
They violate the entire Constitution by starting undeclared wars for foreign countries.
Impeach Obama, vote for Ron Paul.
(Last link of Banned Book):
http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000190526

Willie Lowman

Yo no hablo a inglés…

Stratman

Waaahhhhh! A rich actor had his car stolen Waaaahhhhh! Why is this news?
TED

I have a 1969 Mercedes Benz 280SL, and would take $100,000 today for it! The market is about $35-50,000. Maybe the name of the owner is worth the difference!