Former Cleveland Mayor Testifies in Theft

Former Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes testified Friday that he took a $17.25 bag of dog food from a pet store because no cashiers were available but intended to return later in the day to pay. Stokes, 62, now a Cleveland municipal judge, is facing a petty theft charge in Shaker Heights Municipal Court.

In January, Stokes admitted taking a $2.39 screwdriver from a Bedford store and paid $50 restitution to the store in exchange for a promise not to prosecute. He has said he forgot about the screwdriver in his pocket when he carried other items to the cashier.