Northeast Ohio couple indicted for monthlong armed robbery spree

A 15-count indictment was filed charging a couple from Northeast Ohio for four armed bank robberies and armed robberies of several other stores this fall, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Casey Layne Liberty, 30, of Amherst, and Daniel T. Begin, 32, of Cleveland, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, four counts of bank robbery, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and nine counts related to Hobbs Act robbery.

Liberty wore a disguise and robbed banks and stores while Begin acted as the getaway driver. They used the proceeds of the robberies to purchase drugs and food and to pay for hotel rooms, according to the indictment.

“This pair went on a monthlong crime spree in which they robbed banks and stores to feed their drug habit,” Herdman said. “It’s a miracle no one was killed, and we’re gratified this duo will likely be off the street for years to come.”

“This pair posed a danger to people doing their banking or simply picking up lunch,” Anthony said. “The fine work of the FBI agents, along with nearly a dozen police departments, has made our community safer.”

The pair are charged with the following bank robberies: Andover Bank in Conneaut on Sept. 19, Chase Bank in Medina on Sept. 28, First National Bank in Beachwood on Oct. 4 and the Chase Bank in Fairlawn on Oct. 12.

They are also charged with robbing a Subway in Findlay on Sept. 26, a Seven Eleven in Brunswick on Sept. 28, a Gamestop in Elyria on Oct. 7, a Domino’s Pizza in Madison on Oct. 10, a Mr. Hero in Canton on Oct. 11, a Subway in Avon on Oct. 15, a Subway in Elyria on Oct. 16, a Mr. Hero in Perkins Township on Oct. 19, a Domino’s Pizza in North Olmsted on Oct. 22 and a Mr. Hero in Berea on Oct. 22.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ranya Elzein and Robert J. Patton following an investigation by the FBI and the police department of Conneaut, North Olmsted, Medina, Beachwood, Avon, Elyria, Findlay, Perkins Township, Madison, Berea and North Ridgeville.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.