Man stole nearly $10,000 from churches

Police said an Iowa City man stole nearly $10,000 using checks from local churches and the forged signatures of clergymen.

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According to criminal complaints, Christopher J. Jones, 18, obtained three checks from Faith Baptist Church and one from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Police said Jones forged the signatures of pastors and deacons, making himself the payee.

The checks totaled $34,000, all of which Jones deposited into his University of Iowa Community Credit Union bank account.

Police said Jones went on a "spending spree," which included a trip to New York. Payment was stopped on several checks, limiting the credit union's loss to almost $10,000.

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