Imagine you’re a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy. You stop a classic Cadillac speeding up the coast. The driver appears to be living in the car and has no paperwork. You run the plates and discover the Cadillac belongs to a famous movie star. But when you call the owner, he doesn’t even know his Cadillac is missing.

Actor Jerry O’Connell burst into the spotlight with 1986’s Stand by Me. His career came of age with back-to-back hits: 1996’s Jerry Maguire and 1997’s Scream 2. Younger audiences may recognize him as Steven Birch on Billions or as a prolific voice actor for Marvel, DC, and Star Trek franchises.

O’Connell is also a fan of older, quirkier cars. He has said he frequently scours Craigslist for his next project. He also admits the risk of buying them is part of the fun (Art19). That work has paid off. His collection would impress most enthusiasts.

Some of O’Connell’s favorites include a 1974 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback station wagon, which shares a chassis with the Beetle and the bus. He also owns a 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV, resplendent with its iconic wood paneling. Another standout is a pristine 1974 Chevrolet Corvette in white (Tork). And, of course, there is the 1979 Cadillac.

Traffic stop reveals a missing classic Cadillac

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office reports that a deputy stopped O’Connell’s Cadillac for speeding on Pacific Coast Highway. A homeless man was driving the car.

When the deputy asked for documentation, the driver admitted he had no proof of insurance, registration, or even a driver’s license. He claimed the Cadillac belonged to a family member.

Investigators quickly determined otherwise. The vehicle belonged to O’Connell. When authorities contacted the actor, he told them he had no idea the Cadillac was missing. He and his family were out of town at the time.