Delia D'Ambra

So the feds knew he was not to be underestimated.

During the manhunt, officials had told the press that should anyone come in contact with him or Bonnie, they needed to alert authorities immediately and not engage with the couple.

The FBI specifically said Larry was considered armed and dangerous.

In the aftermath of the kidnapping ordeal, Frank Van Balen told reporter Richard Lawson he didn't have the faintest idea why he and his wife had been targeted.

He said that Larry had only worked at his fiberglass plant for about six months, but other than that, there was nothing else connecting the two couples.

Betty Ann later told the Daily Astorian neither she nor Frank had ever previously met Larry.

In May 1974, a month after being arrested, the Coles both pleaded guilty to extortion and kidnapping and were sentenced to 25 years and 18 years in prison, respectively.

During the couple's sentencing hearing, Betty Ann testified about what had happened to her and she told the court that, based on her experience, it was evident that the Coles' plan was extremely calculated and well thought out.

Kind of a side note, but one thing I think is worth mentioning.

When I interviewed Jack Kerwin, he told me that he was told that Betty Ann had expressed it was actually Bonnie who'd frightened her more than Larry.

Regarding her perception of Bonnie, Betty Ann later told the Oregonian, "...she was the hardest female I'd ever seen.

You could have hit her with a hammer, and it would have broken the hammer."

And when you think about it, I mean, it was Bonnie who'd made the phone call that caused Betty Ann to take the bait, so to speak.

She'd also been the first person to pull a gun on Betty Ann.

And according to at least some of the coverage I saw on this case, Bonnie was the person who reportedly drove to the ransom exchange.

According to Betty Ann's testimony in court, Larry had sat in the backseat with her holding a gun while Bonnie guided the three of them to the rail station for the ransom exchange.

Though I did read some articles that stated it was Bonnie who held the gun on Betty Ann while Larry drove.

But either way, after being sentenced, Larry began serving his time behind bars in June 1974, and he moved between a few different federal penitentiaries until his early release in 1982.

That year, he was granted parole, but just two years later, in 1984, he was sent back to prison for a few months for violating the conditions of his release.

By August 1984, though, he was once again a free man after serving only eight years of his recommended 25-year sentence.