Columbus Patrol Officer Implicated in Heist

A Columbus patrol officer was placed on administrative leave after the FBI accused her of aiding a bank robbery.

Shatoya Wright was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with making false statements to the FBI.

Agents said a man charged with robbing a Wachovia Bank in Oct. 2007 told them Wright helped him steal $8,000 during the heist. Accused bank robber Odis Christopher Hallstock said Wright also helped him pass counterfeit $100 bills through the bank.

Columbus Police Chief Ricky Boren said Wright was hired 3 months after the robbery and passed all background checks.

Wright made her initial court appearance Tuesday and was released on $5,000 bond.

Information from: WTVM-TV, http://www.wtvm.com/

(AP)

Website to help identify bank robbers

The FBI has launched a new website to help identify bank robbers in Georgia. GeorgiaBankRobbery.com is designed to enable the public to assist law enforcement. Made in conjunction with the Georgia Association of Bank Security, the site features images of people who may be involved in criminal activity or wanted for questioning. The public can click on an image to send comments or contact law enforcement.

State's top NAACP official wants probe into Cobb County case

Georgia’s top NAACP official is calling for a state investigation into sentences given to two young white women in a recent bank robbery case. Edward DuBose says he’s asking the state attorney general to look into the so-called ‘Barbie bandits’ case in Cobb County. DuBose wants to know why the court gave the two women less jail time than two black men in the case. Last month 20-year-old Heather Johnston received 10 years probation for her guilty plea. 19-year-old Ashley Miller got two years in jail with eight years probation. The accomplices--both black--received harsher sentences. Michael Chastang was sentenced to 10 years behind bars for masterminding the scheme--bank teller Bennie Allen received five years in jail for the February 2007 bank robbery.

FBI nabs reputed 'Grandpa Bandit'

Phillips (Access N. Georgia.com)

Authorities say they have arrested the so-called "Grandpa Bandit," a man in his mid-60s who is suspected in seven bank heists in Georgia and Tennessee.

The FBI says Bobby Joe Phillips was arrested Saturday morning without incident by a police officer in the central Georgia town of Perry.

Authorities say Phillips is suspected of robbing banks in the Georgia cities of Covington, Suwanee and Warner Robins. He's also accused of robbing two banks in Knoxville, Tenn., two times each.

FBI Special Agent Gary Kidder has said the case is unusual because of Phillips' age - and because he makes no effort to disguise himself during the robberies.

(The Associated Press)