Bad Barbies: NYPD busts an all-female street gang in The Bronx

These are no dolls.

The Bad Barbies, an all-female subgroup of the infamous Trinitarios gang in New York City, has taken a major blow. This is a good thing, considering that -- prior to this week -- many in law enforcement didn't even know the group existed.

On Wednesday (Dec. 12), the New York Police Department conducted a major bust of the Trinitarios gang, arresting 40 alleged members of the group. Among them was Maria Mejia, the 24-year-old suspected leader of the Bad Barbies. She was charged with murder, assault and racketeering. Her court-appointed lawyer told the New York Post that his client was an innocent homemaker who takes care of a sick mother.

The reaction of the NYPD to the Bad Barbies indicates that no one considered female gang members a threat before now. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly was quoted by the New York Post as saying, "The Bad Barbies? Who knew? Maybe it's a sign of the times that gender is no bar when it comes to murder, robbery and other crimes."

Apparently Barbie really does inspire girls to move forward in male-dominated fields.