Judge drops charges against Daniel Baldwin

Authorities had alleged the actor stole a 2003 Yukon from a friend

AP	Daniel Baldwin in a booking mug taken in Santa Ana, Calif., after he was arrested Nov. 8 on suspicion of stealing an SUV in Santa Monica, Calif.

Celebrity video

Prejean talks sex tape
Nov. 10: Countdown’s Keith Olbermann talks about former Miss California Carrie Prejean’s book tour and explanation of her newly discovered sex tape.

Alicia Keys uses voice for the voiceless

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar fighting leukemia

Accused Letterman extortionist says he was selling screenplay

Alicia Keys: 'I had to help. And I did'

Web only: Joan Cusack on 'being present'

Slideshow

Best and worst celebrity fashions of 2009
From glamorous gowns to stylish suits to complete fashion failures, a look at the year so far.

more photos

updated 8:08 p.m. ET April 27, 2007

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Car-theft charges against Daniel Baldwin were dropped Friday.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Kelly MacEachern dismissed the charges at the prosecution’s request during a brief hearing, said Farrah Emami, district attorney spokeswoman.

“After following up on statements that were provided to us by witnesses and the victim, we determined that the evidence didn’t support us going forward with the case,” she said.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Authorities had alleged the actor stole a 2003 GMC Yukon from a friend, Ken Smith, but Baldwin said it was a misunderstanding. Smith reported the car missing without knowing his cousin lent Baldwin the keys to the vehicle, the actor said.

Slideshow
Celebrity sightings
Jessica Alba helps celebrate a Hollywood photo book, John Travolta and family take in “Old Dogs,” the “New Moon” stars are out in Paris and more.
more photos
Baldwin’s attorney, Grant Hoagland, said Smith recently met with prosecutors and told them the arrest was a mistake.

“It’s wonderful. It’s what I’ve promised him all along,” Hoagland said. “I knew that they didn’t have a case against Daniel.”

Baldwin, the brother of actors William, Stephen and Alec Baldwin, is currently in a court-ordered drug program after being arrested last year in a cocaine-possession case. Police said they found the actor and another man in a Santa Monica hotel, along with cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

The second-eldest Baldwin brother has appeared in the television series “Homicide: Life on the Street” and the movie “Car 54, Where Are You?”