Pizza Delivery Driver’s Death Sparks Ongoing Investigation into Collar Bomb Heist

The case of pizza delivery driver Brian Wells continues to captivate and horrify the public, following his death during a bizarre bank robbery involving a collar bomb. On August 28, 2003, Wells entered a PNC Bank in Erie, Pennsylvania, armed with a shotgun disguised as a cane and wearing a bomb strapped around his neck. He demanded $250,000 while threatening that the bomb would detonate if his demands were not met. Wells left the bank with over $8,000 but was quickly apprehended by police. Tragically, the bomb detonated shortly thereafter, leading to his death being broadcast live.

As the police surrounded him, Wells claimed he had been forced into the robbery by three individuals he encountered while delivering pizza. He described how they had fastened the explosive device around his neck, compelling him to return with the large sum of cash. With news cameras rolling, Wells pleaded for his life as the device beeped ominously, indicating that time was running out. The bomb’s detonation left a significant impact, and Wells’ death was not only shocking but also raised numerous questions about the circumstances surrounding the crime.

The investigation that followed revealed a complex web of individuals implicated in the plot. Notes discovered in Wells’ vehicle detailed instructions for the robbery and directions to defuse the bomb, further complicating the narrative. According to authorities, the bomb was rigged with multiple locks and a combination dial, making it impossible for Wells to safely remove it in time. The public was left reeling, with many speculating on whether Wells had any complicity in the crime.

Federal agents expressed disbelief at the bizarre nature of the incident. A federal agent remarked in 2003, “It defies logic that a human would do that to himself. But in all my years on the job, it never ceased to amaze me what people do and what the possibilities are.”

The investigation focused on several suspects, particularly Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, who was later identified as a key figure in orchestrating the crime. The 2018 Netflix documentary series Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist details how Diehl-Armstrong allegedly needed the money to hire someone to kill her father, whom she mistakenly believed to be wealthy. Evidence presented in court indicated that Diehl-Armstrong had discussed bomb-making with her associates in the lead-up to the robbery.

In July 2007, federal prosecutors charged both Kenneth Barnes and Diehl-Armstrong with Wells’ death. Barnes had initially been sentenced to 45 years in prison, but his term was halved after he testified against Diehl-Armstrong. He maintained until his death on June 20, 2019, that Wells had been aware of the plan but tried to withdraw upon discovering the bomb was real.

Diehl-Armstrong was convicted in November 2010 and received a life sentence plus 30 additional years for her role in the robbery and murder. She consistently denied any involvement in the plot, claiming that it was her accomplice William Rothstein who masterminded the scheme. Rothstein passed away from lymphoma on July 30, 2004, before the full extent of the conspiracy could be uncovered.

The case remains a chilling reminder of the lengths to which individuals may go and the complexities of human behavior in extreme situations. Wells’ family has consistently disputed the claims that he was an active participant in the planning of the robbery, arguing that he was a victim of circumstance.

Diehl-Armstrong’s death from breast cancer on April 4, 2017, closed a chapter on a case that continues to evoke intrigue and horror. Her burial in an unmarked grave adds to the macabre nature of this story, which has left an indelible mark on the community and law enforcement alike. The investigation into the collar bomb heist remains a topic of discussion, demonstrating that the quest for truth in such extraordinary circumstances often leads to more questions than answers.