Daniel Baldwin pleads not guilty to theft

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Actor Daniel Baldwin told a Newport Beach, Calif., court he is innocent of felony charges of receiving stolen property and unlawfully taking a vehicle.

By appearing in court, the judge dismissed a bench warrant issued against the former "Homicide" star after he did not appear at an earlier hearing, E! News said.

The stolen SUV belongs to Kenneth Smith, a friend of Baldwin's, who has come to the actor's defense. Smith's family originally reported the vehicle stolen, prompting Baldwin's arrest.

In court Tuesday, Smith said called the matter a "mistake," saying he had given Baldwin permission to use the vehicle.

Despite Smith's comments, the Orange County District Attorney's Office did not drop the charges. County Superior Court Judge Peter Polos scheduled a pretrial status hearing for May 1.

Baldwin was arrested Nov. 7 outside a Santa Monica, Calif., motel after Smith's family reported the SUV stolen.