(SALEM, IL) — Bail has been set at $250,000 for a 30-year-old Centralia man charged with burglaries he told police he committed to support his synthetic drug habit. James Tate was arrested December 23 following an investigation by Centralia police into two burglaries in which multiple Christmas gifts were stolen. He was charged Monday morning in Marion County Court with two counts Class 2 felony burglary. The burglaries were to a home in the 800 block of East 3rd that was being renovated, where tools and 25 to 30 feet of copper water line was removed from the home. Police say it was the copper water line that provided them a break in the case when the copper water line was apparently taken to salvage yard where Tate provided his signature. The second burglary took place at a home in the 900 block of East Noleman, where Christmas presents were taken from the garage. Working with Tate’s parole officer, police reportedly found many of the stolen items in Tate’s locked bedroom. Police say Tate admitted to the burglaries and told them he needed money to support his synthetic drug habit. He is next scheduled in court January 19, for a first appearance with his court appointed attorney.