A LeRoy couple admitted last week in Dodge County Court that they took funds from Hayfield Ambulance to buy nearly $12,000 in personal items.

James Dean Middleton, 43, and Anne Marie Middleton, 31, both pleaded guilty to felony theft by swindle. Hayfield Ambulance board members grew suspicious of strange charges on the company account and fired the couple at a meeting in July, during which an investigator heard further information. According to the Dodge County Court complaint, the investigator overheard James say he and Anne fell on hard times and used the ambulance account but intended to pay it back.

A judge issued a search warrant on Aug. 28 for the Middletons home in Sargeant at the time, which uncovered many items, including a Kindle Fire, wireless mouse, black pistol box, gas grill and cover and rain coats. Both James and Anne later admitted to an investigator they misused the funds, and they were arrested on Aug. 29. Documents show the Middletons misused the Hayfield Ambulance’s debit card, checking account and payroll reconciliation for a total of $11,851 from January to July 2012.

Their sentencings are set for March 6.