Actor DANIEL BALDWIN pleaded not guilty in an Orange County, California courtroom yesterday to charges of unlawfully taking a car and receiving stolen property.

A $25,000 bench warrant was issued earlier this month for his arrest after he failed to appear for arraignment in the case.

The 46-year-old has been free on bail since he was arrested in Santa Monica, California in November for driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that was reported stolen in Orange County.

Baldwin maintains he is innocent of all charges and claims he borrowed the vehicle from a friend.

The vehicle’s owner, KENNETH SMITH, backs up Baldwin’s claims, telling entertainment 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. This is just a big mistake. I’ve been trying for months to communicate this to the court.”

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