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Georgia judge eases bail for 'Barbie'

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 30, 2007

MARIETTA, Ga. - Two young women charged with stealing nearly $11,000 in a bank heist went on a shopping spree, ate a meal and gave money to the homeless afterward, a police detective testified Thursday, as the judge lowered the bail for Heather Johnston.

Johnston, 19, and Ashley Miller, 18, the so-called Barbie Bandits, are charged with felony theft and marijuana possession and have been in jail since the Feb.27 heist. Miller has waived her right to the hearing.

Police Detective Brad McEntyre said the pair shopped at two upscale malls, gave their waiter a big tip after eating and went to a swank hair salon after the theft. He said Johnston had $1,000 in her bra when apprehended.

"The whole thing started out as a joke," he said. "They were laughing about robbing a bank and then things turned serious."

Magistrate Court Judge Frank Cox agreed there was cause to pursue the charges against Johnston. He also agreed to reduce her $26,000 bail to $10,000.

Police also arrested a bank teller and another man in the theft, saying the heist appeared to be an inside job.

Johnston's parents said they were unsure how they will pay her bail. They are eager to get their daughter home and will get her out of jail "as soon as we can come up with the money," her father, Edward, said.

When released, Johnston will live with her parents under a 9p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew.

[Last modified March 30, 2007, 01:42:54]