Was duo driven by drugs?

Police and family members say a young couple dubbed Utah County's "Bonnie and Clyde" were driven by an addiction to drugs when they robbed a Lindon-area bank three times at gunpoint.

For the first time after being arrested, Kylee and Joshua Rich appeared in federal court Wednesday morning.

Watching as her daughter was brought into the courtroom in chains, Kylee Rich's mother wiped away tears. Sitting near his wife, also in chains, Joshua Rich turned and gave a pained look to his in-laws.

Joshua Rich, 25, who has a lengthy criminal record, had just been released from prison when he met his 20-year-old wife.

Rich's sister, Sharyn Rich, said her family had high hopes that her brother would turn his life around when he got married. She said he told them he planned to go back to school and wanted to become a pilot.

"It's hard," Sharyn Rich said of watching her brother in chains. "I don't like seeing him like that. ... It's drugs, it's just drugs. It makes you do stupid things."

Sharyn Rich confirmed what police have said — that the couple were motivated by a drug addiction, specifically heroin.

Rich said although she is heartbroken for her brother, she feels both of them need to face the consequences of what they did.

According to federal charges filed in U.S. District Court, Joshua Rich and another man robbed the same Wells Fargo Bank two times using a gun. The third time, federal agents say Kylee Rich took part by driving a getaway vehicle.

Police say between the first and second robberies, the couple got married and made a honeymoon trip to Las Vegas. After the second robbery, the couple again took a trip to Vegas and Palm Springs. Pleasant Grove Police Capt. Cody Cullimore said the couple, upon questioning, said they paid cash for everything and spent money on "a lot of stuff," including drugs.

Joshua Rich is charged with three counts of armed robbery, and Kylee Rich faces one count.

In court Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos Esqueda said the couple face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each count. Esqueda said his office plans to seek a grand jury indictment for both next week. Meanwhile, U.S. District Magistrate Judge David Nuffer set a detention hearing for Friday.

U.S. Attorney's Office spokeswoman Melodie Rydalch said federal agents continue to investigate the third bank robbery suspect, who is currently in state custody on an unrelated matter and whose name has not been released. No charges have been filed against the man.

Joshua Rich's younger brother, Doug Rich, said it's hard seeing his brother in trouble with the law again. "He's my brother," Doug Rich said outside of court, wiping away tears. "I just love him, you know. ... I love them both."

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Contributing: Sara Israelsen

E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com