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In return for their plea, Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh agreed to dismiss charges of armed robbery counts against the two.

"Sentencing guidelines are not as stringent for bank robbery," Konschuh said. "It's slightly less than being convicted of armed robbery."

The pair, dubbed as "Bonnie and Clyde" by the media, admitted guilt in the courtroom of Circuit Court Judge Michael Higgins. The two were charged with the September holdup of a Lapeer County Bank & Trust branch office on M-24 in Deerfield Township. They fled the state after the robbery and a police manhunt eventually led to the couple's location in October. They were living in a homeless shelter in Cheyenne, Wyo.

The two were assigned court appointed attorneys. Bruman was represented by Mike Gildner, and Holt by Ann Sharkey.

"She's a young lady who made a terrible decision and is owning up to it," said Gildner after the pretrial conference.

Bruman is said to have participated in the crime to finance an attorney because she feared losing custody of her children.

Sharkey declined comment until the two are sentenced.

A plea agreement had been offered to the pair in December. Konschuh said he's surprised they didn't take the offer earlier.

"When someone accepts a plea offer, they know there's a lot of evidence against them," Konschuh said. "The sheriff's department did a great job in gathering the evidence and tracking them down."

Lapeer County Sheriff's Department Lt. Gary Parks said a group effort brought the two to justice.

"It was good, professional police work, from the start to the end," Parks said. "Right from the beginning when Deputy Terry Coulter responded. Sgt. Chad Polmanteer, Sgt. Joe Nesbit, and Sgt. Jason Parks all investigated and did reports. Chad did a professional job of putting the reports together and submitting them to the prosecutor.

"We have a fine organization. There is a lot of good police work."

Stiff sentencing guidelines following an armed robbery conviction could have put Bruman and Holt behind bars for a minimum of six to eight years. Higgins will sentence the two at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 19.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com