Iowa City police arrested a local man after he allegedly stole $34,000 from two churches.

Christopher James Jones, 18, 320 E. Benton St. Apt. 3, was charged May 17 with forgery and second-degree theft.

According to a complaint, Jones allegedly acquired three checks from Faith Baptist Church and one check from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints between May 15 and May 30.

Police said Jones allegedly signed the checks as the pastor and the deacon, respectively, and deposited the checks into his University of Iowa Community Credit Union account through a Hills Bank ATM on 1401 S. Gilbert before going on a “spending spree,” which included a trip to New York City.

Payment was reportedly stopped on several checks, limiting the total amount lost to $9,930.26.

Second-degree theft in excess of $1,000 but not exceeding $10,000 is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $7,500. Forgery is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $7,500.

— by Brian Albert