Ex-Phoenix mayor Greg Stanton is robbed outside a restaurant

Police in Phoenix are searching for a man who robbed former city mayor Greg Stanton outside a restaurant.

Stanton told police he was leaving one of his favorite restaurants after dining alone about 8:40 p.m. Saturday when he was approached by a man who was carrying what appeared to be a hatchet.

He says the man asked for money and fled after Stanton gave up his wallet.

Stanton then called police , who searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

Stanton was elected Phoenix’s mayor in 2011 after nine years as a city councilman.

He resigned last May to run for Arizona’s 9th Congressional District seat.