by AMANDA WINTERS

Sequim Gazette

A Sequim man pleaded not guilty Friday to second-degree theft after he was arrested on Black Friday.

Anthony Cortani, 41, owner of Tim’s Cabinets, is accused of stealing two flat screen TVs from Walmart, valued collectively at $1,223, and a handful of tools from The Home Depot.

Deputy Prosecutor John Troberg charged Cortani with second-degree theft, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

In a probable cause report, Sequim police said Cortani and his father, William Cortani, of Manteca, Calif., also were suspected of shoplifting at Costco during the Black Friday sales on Nov. 26. Police said a search of Anthony Cortani’s truck revealed two sets of multiple tools from The Home Depot, one 32-inch flat screen TV and three 40 inch flat screen TVs.

Cortani had receipts showing he purchased one of every item, police said.

Cortani and his father were booked into the Clallam County jail and later released.

William Cortani has not been charged.

Anthony Cortani was featured in two Sequim Gazette articles about his service group God’s Widow Helpers that unites local laborers to help widowed women with building projects. The group rebuilt a bathroom and a pathway for two Sequim women.

During his Dec. 10 arraignment Cortani, through his attorney David Bendell, requested permission to travel out of state. Judge George Wood granted Cortani permission to leave the state but denied a request to return his truck, which was seized as evidence.

Cortani is scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 23, 2011.

Reach Amanda Winters at awinters@sequimgazette.com.

Matthew Nash contributed to this report.