GORDON A 27-year-old Gaffney man was charged Wednesday by the Gaffney Police Department with two counts of second degree burglary in connection with the break-ins of two city churches.

Christopher Lee Gordon, whose address is listed in arrest warrants as Chatham Avenue, was charged with the burglary of the Elm Street Church of God, 200 Elm St., between March 11 and March 12, and the burglary of Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church, 805 Cherokee Ave., on March 13.

Det. Brian Blanton, who investigated the cases, said Gordon admitted committing the break-ins during an interview. He said police learned about Gordon from a witness who had overheard Gordon telling someone else about the break-ins.

After police interviewed Gordon, Blanton said, “He wanted to speak to both preachers.”

Blanton said the pastors from both of the burglarized churches were brought to the police station to speak with Gordon.

According to Gaffney Municipal Court records, Gordon was granted a blanket bond of $15,000 on the charges. He remained at the Cherokee County Detention Center as of Thursday afternoon, according to online jail records.

Police reports state that someone broke several exterior windows to gain entry to the Elm Street Church of God between 11:59 p.m. March 11 and 8:30 a.m. March 12. Police said they found a pair of channel locks, which is a plier-like tool, outside the church. A preliminary investigation showed nothing was taken but damage was estimated at $3,000.

Between 12:01 a.m. and 2:40 a.m. on March 13, police responded to an alarm call at Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church at 804 Cherokee Ave. and discovered a broken window. Police said they found an unlocked window in a men’s bathroom and scuff marks on the bathroom wall.

A door window to the financial secretary’s office was broken and a file cabinet was gone through. Taken from the church pastor’s office were five silver coins valued at $20. Police said a church safe was moved away from a wall but not opened.