Cell phone bandit gets 12-years

Mar 03 2006 - 04:11 PM ET | In The News

The so-called "cell phone bandit" was sentenced friday to a 12-year prison term for her involvement in a string of four bank robberies. Candice Martinez became an instant news celebrity after security cameras showed her casually chatting on a cell phone while robbing banks. Her accomplice and boyfriend who was on the other line during the robberies was given the same sentence last month.

Investigators say Martinez and Williams netted a total of $48,620 which was used for everything from a plasma screen television to a 1997 Acura Integra.

The couple also spent $2,000 on a Chihuahua puppy they named Capone. Lee has ordered them to make full restitution for the $43,850.46 not recovered.