JOHNSTOWN - A Gloversville man pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree burglary Wednesday in Fulton County Court in connection with seven burglaries at Gloversville churches.
Michael W. Johnson, 30, of 11 Sixth Ave, is expected to receive 2 1/2 to five years in state prison at a later date.
Gloversville police arrested Johnson Feb. 1 on charges of third-degree burglary and petit larceny.
The arrest came after an investigation that started when Johnson broke into the Foothills United Methodist Church, 17 Fremont St., on Nov. 24, 2009, police said. Johnson forced his way into several offices and stole an unknown amount of money while in the church, police said.
Police said Johnson was responsible for six other burglaries last fall and winter, including:
Nov. 30, 2009 - Johnson removed an air conditioner to enter a window at North Main Street Methodist Church, 316 N. Main St., police said, stealing about $200 from various office and offering envelopes.
Dec. 13 - At the Kingsboro Assembly of God Church, 255 Kingsboro Ave., Johnson again entered through a window, police said, damaging a safe and leaving the church with only a small amount of change.
Dec. 17 - Johnson again broke into the Foothills church, smashing a window to get inside, police said. Johnson stole an unknown amount of cash, police said. The church estimated $250 to $600 was taken. A jar of donations, intended to support the Christmas work of a church missionary, was taken with between $200 and $300 in the jar, the church said.
Jan. 5 - Johnson broke into the North Main Street church again, digging a hole through a snowbank and breaking into a basement window to get inside, police said, stealing a small amount of cash.
Jan. 17 - At the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 18 Jeffers St., police said Johnson kicked out the basement window to get inside the church and entered several rooms before finally stealing a Sony DVD/VHS player, police said.
Jan. 20 - Police said Johnson forced open a door at the First Presbyterian Church, 16 W. Fulton St., to get inside, making off with a small amount of cash and several bags of food from the food pantry inside the church.