Ohio couple admits to $8 million robbery

updated 8:51 p.m. ET Jan. 28, 2008

CLEVELAND - A couple accused of stealing millions of dollars from an armored car company did it to escape financial hardships, the woman told the FBI in court documents disclosed Monday.

Roger Dillon, 23, and his girlfriend, Nicole Boyd, 25, both of Youngstown, are charged with bank larceny and other counts in the Nov. 26 heist from AT Systems in Liberty, just north of Youngstown.

The amount stolen was just under $8.4 million, including $6.7 million in cash and the rest in checks. Authorities until Monday had reported the theft at a total of $7.4 million, including $4.3 million in cash.

The couple's motive was to escape financial problems, including thousands of dollars of debt, Boyd said in her statement to the FBI, signed Dec. 1.

"I knew taking the money from AT Systems was wrong, but I wanted a better life," she said in the statement, read by FBI agent Guy Hunneyman at a bond hearing in U.S. District Court.

All but $3,500 was recovered, Hunneyman said. The cash and checks were found stacked in a mobile home where the couple fled about 250 miles away in Pipestem, W.Va.

According to their statements, they made several trips to West Virginia in the weeks before the robbery to rent the trailer, buy heating oil for it and stock it with supplies, books and video games.

"I told my mom about a week beforehand ... and told her she should come with us," Dillon wrote.

His mother, Sharon Lee Gregory, tried to talk him out of it, he added. Boyd and Dillon are charged with bank larceny, and all three are charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines.

When the armored car company had cash from the busy post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping weekend, Dillon entered the building using another employee's security code, his statement said.

He pulled a truck into a garage and loaded it with bags. Boyd helped, Boyd's statement said. They made one stop on the way to West Virginia — at a McDonald's restaurant, where they disposed of their cell phones.

Magistrate Judge Kenneth McHargh said he would rule on bond for Boyd and Dillon's mother after their attorneys tell him of where they will live. They have been held without bond since their Dec. 1 arrests.

Kirk Migdao, an attorney for Boyd, told the magistrate that evidence against his client seemed strong but that she should be released on bond because she has no criminal record and no weapon was used in the robbery.

James Campbell, an attorney for Gregory, argued that his client wasn't responsible for the theft and naively went along with her son. She had left for West Virginia before the robbery, Campbell said.

Dillon's attorney, Brian Pierce, didn't challenge statements read in court.

The three have pleaded not guilty. They face up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. They have no prior criminal records.

More from msnbc.com First Thoughts: Palin-palooza  Elkhart Project: Divorces decline amid meltdown Timeline: America's debate over health care  Prescription drug abuse ravages state's youth Your Career: Take this job and shove it!

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Prescription drug abuse ravages state's youth Detroit mayor taps rival as police chief Mom denies withholding son's meds 12 wounded in Miami shooting Detective pleads not guilty to '86 killing   Suspected S.C. serial killer shot to death in N.C. Police: Accused cat killer a 'sociopath' Bullying, once a silent battle, now a crime Judge may suppress ‘fight club’ video Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: