DANIEL BALDWIN - CAR OWNER: 'BALDWIN DIDN'T STEAL VEHICLE'

CAR OWNER: 'BALDWIN DIDN'T STEAL VEHICLE'

LATEST: Troubled actor DANIEL BALDWIN has become a victim of the California court system, according to the owner of the sports utility vehicle he's charged with stealing. The MULHOLLAND FALLS star was arrested on a film set in Detroit, Michigan yesterday (07FEB07) after failing to appear in court in Orange County, California to face grand theft auto charges on Tuesday (06FEB07). The 46-year-old star was arrested in Santa Monica, California in November (06), while driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that had been reported stolen in Orange County. But the car's owner, KENNETH SMITH, has now come forward to back up Baldwin's claims he's innocent of all charges. He tells website TMZ.com, "I've been best of friends with Daniel for 20 years and he had permission to borrow my car anytime he wanted it. "He was staying at my house and my cousin gave him the keys to the car. My girlfriend noticed the car was missing and called the police. This is just a big mistake. I've been trying for months to communicate this to the court." Baldwin's manager DAN SPILO adds, "We have been trying to explain the mix-up to the DA's office for months, but the court has their procedures to follow. "Daniel looks forward to going down to the courthouse when he returns with his attorney and the owner of the vehicle and clearing up the confusion and getting the bench warrant recalled." Baldwin failed to show up in court on Tuesday because he was filming in Detriot with the blessing of his attorney and manager, who had received a signed affidavit from Smith verifying Baldwin was allowed to borrow his vehicle.