• Jerry O’Connell’s 1979 Cadillac was recovered after a traffic stop on Pacific Coast Highway.
  • A homeless man was driving the vintage car and could not produce ID or registration.
  • Deputies traced the Cadillac to O’Connell’s family and returned it; the family was out of town and unaware.

Vintage Cadillac found during PCH traffic stop

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says deputies recovered a 1979 Cadillac belonging to actor Jerry O’Connell after pulling the vehicle over for speeding on Pacific Coast Highway on Jan. 13. The driver, described by authorities as a homeless man, was unable to produce a driver’s license, registration or proof of insurance.

Driver’s claim didn’t match the records

According to the sheriff’s department, the man told deputies the car belonged to a family member but could not provide additional details. Officers checked the vehicle’s registration and found it was listed to the O’Connell family. Further investigation revealed the Cadillac had been reported stolen from O’Connell’s Calabasas home in the west San Fernando Valley.

Car returned to owner; family unaware

Deputies returned the vintage Cadillac to O’Connell. The actor, known for roles in Stand by Me, Jerry Maguire and television work, was out of town with his family and reportedly unaware the car had been taken. The sheriff’s department said the vehicle was recovered before O’Connell knew it was missing.

No immediate comment from reps

NBC Los Angeles reported that the news outlet reached out to O’Connell’s representatives for comment. The department has not released details about any charges related to the traffic stop or the alleged theft.

Why the recovery matters

Beyond returning a classic car to its owner, the incident highlights routine law-enforcement checks on highways like PCH that can quickly uncover unrelated crimes — in this case, a stolen vehicle. The Cadillac, a 1979 model described as a luxury vintage car, was identified through standard registration checks during the stop.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department handled the recovery and investigation. No further updates on the status of the driver or any pending charges were available at the time of reporting.

More details may be released as the sheriff’s department completes its investigation. NBC Los Angeles published the initial report on Jan. 22, 2026.

Image Referance: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/jerry-oconnell-stolen-1979-cadillac-pch/3835081/