ATTLEBORO - Endri Cenolli says he found a pocketbook at his John Street apartment building and brought it to the police station like any Good Samaritan would.

But police allege Cenolli, 19, took an envelope containing $1,000 in the pocketbook before taking it to the police station Saturday.

Cenolli pleaded innocent to larceny Monday in Attleboro District Court and says he intends to hire a lawyer and fight the charge.

"I found the pocketbook in my house and brought it there. That's it. It's not true," Cenolli said of the allegations.

Police say the man accused of stealing the pocketbook from a car parked at the CVS store on North Main Street Saturday told investigators he only took $13, and never knew it contained more cash. The suspect, Carlos Ramirez-Valentin, 27, of 216 Pleasant St., Apt. 6, in Pawtucket, allegedly told police he drove down John Street and struck a snow bank before running out of gas.

He said a man, later identified as Cenolli, drove him to the Cumberland Farms store at Wall and County streets to get gas before taking him back to his van and driving off.

Police said the two men did not know one anther.

Ramirez-Valentin told police he then took the pocketbook out from under his seat and dropped it in the hallway of Cenolli's apartment building, figuring he would contact the owner, according to a police report.

Ramirez-Valentin was arrested in Pawtucket and faces charges in Attleboro District Court stemming from the pocketbook theft and a related high-speed chase into Pawtucket.

Cenolli was charged after being questioned by Detective Timothy Cook Sr. and Officer Stephen Graney.

During the interview, Cenolli, who has no criminal record, denied any wrongdoing.

He is free without bail and is due back in court with a lawyer on Jan. 7.

DAVID LINTON can be reached at 508-236-0428 or at dlinton@thesunchronicle.com.