US actor John Travolta (L), and John Gotti Jr., the son of late mob boss John Gotti, pose for a photo during a press conference by Fiore Films in New York, April 12, 2011. – AFP File Photo

LOS ANGELES: Thieves stole John Travolta's vintage Mercedes-Benz while he was gone for only minutes – visiting a Jaguar dealership – police said Monday.

The “Grease” and “Pulp Fiction” star left his vintage Mercedes-Benz 280SL parked in a residential district in Santa Monica on Sunday, said Sergeant Richard Lewis.

But when he returned from the nearby car dealership the sports car was gone.

“He parked the car in a residential street, and went to a nearby auto dealers for about 10 minutes, Lewis told AFP, saying he did not know if the thief or thieves followed Travolta or just chanced on the car.

Travolta estimated the car's value at $35,000 dollars, he said, while adding: “It is my understanding that it could be worth more” because it was a vintage model.

Travolta's spokesman said the star had no comment on the theft.