Grand Theft Celeb Auto: Two Men Arrested For Heisting John Travolta's Benz
John Travolta is surely busting a move today after police announced that two men have been busted for heisting the star's vintage Mercedes-Benz last fall.
On September 18, Travolta's 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL was stolen after he parked it on a residential street in Santa Monica and visited a nearby Jaguar dealership for a duration of about ten minutes. With the help of video footage of the theft and tips from the public, Santa Monica police and a task force, including the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, LAPD and California Highway Patrol, were able to identify and arrest both suspects.
Police revealed today that Michael Green, 58, was arrested on December 6, and D.L. Rayford Jr., 52, was taken into custody on December 1. Travolta's vintage ride has since been recovered.
Green and Rayford were allegedly involved in a sophisticated auto-theft ring that targeted older-model Mercedes and muscle cars. Detectives shut down the ring, recovering not only Travolta's Benz, but seven other stolen vehicles.
Anyone with information regarding the case should call Santa Monica police Detective Steve Smetzer at 310-458-8936 or Detective George Molina of the Task Force for Regional Auto Theft Prevention at 818-830-6977. Tipsters may also call WeTip at 800-78-CRIME.
