RTA officer arrested, charged with stealing from Beachwood Giant Eagle

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A Greater Cleveland RTA officer is facing charges after being accused of stealing from Giant Eagle.

Paul Mitchell, 31, is charged with misdemeanor theft in Shaker Heights Municipal Court. He was released on a personal bond and is set for a July 10 arraignment.

Beachwood police arrested Mitchell about 2 p.m. June 15 after workers at the Chagrin Boulevard grocery store said they saw him stealing.

Mitchell put six items in his shopping cart, valued at $46.23, with other items he did pay for before exiting the store, according to Shaker Heights municipal court records. The records do not say what the items were.

“Mr. Mitchell is presumed innocent and has entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ to the charge,” attorney Brad Wolfe said. “We look forward to the specific facts and circumstances of this matter being revealed throughout the court process.”

Mitchell is still employed by RTA and has been temporarily reassigned to dispatch duty, according to spokesperson Robert Fleig.

“RTA is aware of the alleged incident and awaiting resolution of any pending court action,” Fleig said in an email.

Fleig could not confirm how long Mitchell has been an officer with RTA.