Los Angeles - California police have arrested two men suspected of stealing a vintage Mercedes belonging to US actor John Travolta and recovered the car - but it was in pieces, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL was stolen last September after the Grease and Pulp Fiction star left it for only a few minutes on a Santa Monica street, while he went to visit a Jaguar dealership.
"Detectives obtained video footage of the vehicle and the suspects as the vehicle was being stolen," said a police spokesperson, adding that police had a number of tips from the public after the story made the news.
Vintage model
The two men, allegedly involved in a sophisticated auto-theft ring, were arrested and named as Michael Green, 58, and DL Rayford jnr, 52. Detectives shut down the ring, and recovered Travolta's car and seven other stolen vehicles.
"Investigators recovered multiple pieces of Mr Travolta's vehicle as the investigation progressed. It had been chopped and much of the vehicle has not been located," spokesperson Richard Lewis told AFP.
Travolta estimated the car's value at $35 000, but Lewis said he thought it could be worth more because it was a vintage model.
Green has been charged with two counts of grand theft auto and will appear in court on February 8. Rayford pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 16 months in state prison.