Berkeley County, SC - Setting the alarm is now a routine for Pastor Allen Byers because his church was broken into twice in two weeks.

"First time they broke in that end window and threw stuff through the window and tried to steal an air conditioner," Allen Byers, pastor of New Beginnings Christian Church described.

The thieves Andrew Pippin and Jamie Laidlaw are responsible for a rash of church burglaries throughout the Lowcountry, authorities said.

”From Colleton County to Charleston County to Berkeley County," Dan Moon, spokesman for the Berkeley County Sheriff's office said.

In all, the duo hit three churches in Berkeley County including New Home and Cordesville Pentecostal Church, both in Moncks Corner, and New Beginnings in Ladson.

Authorities said their Sunday night burglaries netted the pair more than $1,000.

"I guess they figured some churches hadn't made their deposits from Sunday and they could make a take of them," Moon said.

Laidlaw and Pippin were not as lucky at New Beginnings.

"They just did damage. They didn’t get away with anything. We don't keep money here," Pastor Byers added.

Meanwhile, church members are disheartened.

"It breaks my heart," church member Jim Davis said. "I'm sure the other members it breaks their heart as well because this is their home."

Pastor Byers is now determined to keep his church under lock and key.

Other police agencies in the Lowcountry are doing their own investigations now on Pippin and Laidlaw.

Pippin and Laidlaw went to bond court Thursday, March 19.

Authorities said they don't think anyone else is involved.

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