Introduction
Jerry O’Connell publicly admitted that his 1979 Cadillac was stolen earlier this month, a revelation that sparked a mix of humor and disbelief. The actor’s confession came after a month-long investigation that saw the vehicle seized, a suspect arrested, and the car returned to its rightful owner. The story, which also ties back to a separate theft incident from September, highlights the chaotic nature of celebrity misadventures.
At a Glance
- Jerry O’Connell confirmed his 1979 Cadillac was stolen on Jan. 14.
- The vehicle was recovered after a sheriff’s officer observed it speeding on the Pacific Coast Highway.
- O’Connell publicly took responsibility, tweeting, “MY BAD. This one is on me.”
- Why it matters: The incident underscores how quickly personal security can slip, even for high-profile individuals.
The Theft and Arrest
On Jan. 14, a Malibu/Lost Hill Sheriff’s Department officer stopped the Cadillac for speeding on the Pacific Coast Highway. During detention, the sergeant noted the driver appeared unhoused and could not identify the vehicle’s registered owner. The department told News Of Los Angeles that the suspect was arrested, transported to the Malibu/Lost Hills Station, booked, and later released on a promise to appear.
The car was ultimately returned to O’Connell after deputies confirmed it was registered to his family. NBC 4 reported that the actor and his family were unaware the vehicle had been stolen because they were out of town at the time.
> “During the detention, the Sergeant observed that the driver appeared to be unhoused and, during questioning, was unable to identify the registered owner of the vehicle,” the department told News Of Los Angeles.
O’Connell’s Hilarious Admission
O’Connell used his X account to share a series of posts that began with a light-hearted jab. He wrote, “Just to be clear, I am not the homeless man in this story. Very grateful for @LHSLASD THANK YOU!!!” and later added, “MY BAD. This one is on me.”
His third post to X read: “Again @nypost I am not homeless and I did not steal Tom Cruise’s car. Thank You Lost Hills Sheriffs for getting my car back @LHSLASD.” These tweets were later reposted on his Instagram, where he also shared the New York Post story about the theft.
> “This one is on me,” O’Connell wrote, taking full responsibility for leaving the keys in the vehicle’s center console.
Earlier Theft at Yoga Studio
The Cadillac incident is not O’Connell’s first brush with theft. In Sept. 2025, his cell phone and wallet, containing a few hundred dollars in cash, were stolen during a yoga class at a Los Angeles-area studio.
According to NBC 4, a woman whose identity was not publicly revealed asked to use the restroom and feigned being late to class. O’Connell explained to News Of Los Angeles that he had slipped his wallet and phone into a pair of dirty sneakers he wore to class, a habit he’d repeated over 100 times.
> “I wear the same pair of dirty old sneakers to yoga class and before class,” O’Connell told News Of Los Angeles. “I took them off and slipped my wallet and phone into the dirty shoes. I’ve done that over 100 times – I know this because my app says I’ve taken 107 classes.”
After reporting the theft, the studio checked its cameras and saw the woman, who reportedly has a history of yoga studio thefts, approach the shoes, pull out the wallet and phone, and leave.
> “You can see her saying, ‘Oh shucks, I’m late for class,’ and she bends down next to my dirty shoes and pulls out my wallet and phone, and leaves,” he said.
O’Connell was able to cancel his credit cards, but not before some damage was done: nearly $500 at a department store and $100 at a gas station. He also noted that the wallet contained irreplaceable items.
> “The only real bummer is that I had a photo of Rebecca [Romijn] from high school in my wallet, a four-leaf clover Jack McBrayer had given me, a $2 bill I got while shooting Stand By Me, and my grandfather Charles Witkowski’s obituary,” O’Connell said.
What the Authorities Say
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the suspect was booked and later released on a promise to appear. They emphasized that the vehicle was returned to O’Connell after confirming its registration. The department also highlighted that the driver could not identify the vehicle’s owner during questioning.
The incident showcases how law enforcement can quickly resolve cases involving stolen vehicles, even when the suspect is not immediately identifiable.
Key Takeaways
- Responsibility: O’Connell publicly accepted blame for leaving the keys in the car.
- Law Enforcement Response: The sheriff’s department acted swiftly, arresting the suspect and returning the vehicle.
- Security Lessons: Even celebrities can fall victim to theft; keeping valuables in plain sight can be risky.
- Public Perception: O’Connell’s humorous tweets helped mitigate potential backlash and kept the story light-hearted.
Final Thoughts
While the stolen Cadillac incident might seem like a quirky anecdote, it underscores the importance of vigilance-whether you’re a public figure or a private individual. O’Connell’s candid admission and swift resolution demonstrate how accountability and prompt action can turn a potentially embarrassing situation into a teachable moment for everyone.
