The men jumped him, forced the bomb collar on him, and gave him several pages of instructions and the shotgun-cane. They used the time limits from the pages and found that it was physically impossible for someone to complete the steps necessary in the 55 total minutes allotted. As it so happened, Rothstein also lived in the house right next to the broadcast tower where Wells claimed to be fitted with the bomb collar. They asked Ken to help with the timing mechanism on the bomb. The grand jury is not expected to hear the government's presentment a formal detailing of the evidence until next month, the law enforcement official said. However, that day, he discovered it was accurate when it was too late. After investigation, it was revealed that even if Wells had completed the scavenger hunt, the bomb was rigged in a way that it would have detonated if he Apparently, this didn't seem to dissuade Wells. He was also walking with a cane, which police later found out was an expertly crafted, hand-made handgun. He told Evil Genius Borzillieri that Wells was aware of the plan but tried backing out after learning the collar bomb was live. Maybe there was another person manipulating Diehl-Armstrong, Rothstein, and Wells who has never been identified. On August 28, 2003, a man wearing a white Guess brand t-shirt and carrying a cane (later proven to be a homemade shotgun shaped like a cane) walked into a PNC bank in Erie, Pennsylvania, according to Wired. Many leads for potential suspects turned up empty until a local man named William Rothstein tipped off state police to a frozen body in his garage. 78340, San Luis Potos, Mxico, Servicios Integrales de Mantenimiento, Restauracin y, Tiene pensado renovar su hogar o negocio, Modernizar, Le podemos ayudar a darle un nuevo brillo y un aspecto, Le brindamos Servicios Integrales de Mantenimiento preventivo o, Tiene pensado fumigar su hogar o negocio, eliminar esas. 7. The last-minute call came from an address with an obscure address: a transmission tower site, down a dirt road, on the outskirts of town.Wells, 46, never returned to the pizza shop. At about 2:20 p.m., Wells entered a bank and presented the teller a demand note. Witnesses at the scene alleged that he walked out of the bank calmly and seemingly unperturbed. She was convicted with conspiracy to commit bank robbery with the utilization of a destructive device, and she was sentenced to life in prison on February 28th 2011. Even if Wells could have somehow beat the timers and finished the treasure hunt, he would never have been able to remove the bomb on his own. Authorities have said that they've pieced together what they can from all of the evidence, and they believe that they closed the case accurately. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. As United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said in 2007: Sadly, the plans of the other individuals were sinister, much more sinister., The Bizarre Real-Life Story of the Pizza Guy Who Robbed a Bank with a Bomb Around His Neck, Dentist Confessed to Murdering Wife on African Vacation, Prosecutor Says at Trial: 'I Killed My F---ing Wife', Pizza Delivery Driver Fatally Shot as He Stopped to Help 76-Year-Old Gunshot Victim: Police, Pa. . Rothstein broke first and gave up Marjoriefor having him store a corpse in his freezer. In her youth, she was very well-liked and considered to be highly intelligent. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The law enforcement official told the AP that Buchanan would not disclose what the investigators concluded, but would say that the government is confident they know how and why Wells died. Around the 10-minute mark of the first episode, viewers are greeted by the actual video footage of the bomb which is locked around Brian Wells's neck like a Wells made off with $9,000, the most the teller could give him. I dont have a lot of time, he said, according to a video recording of the encounter. It just got weirder and weirder as the years went on, and there are still some unanswered questions, too. Fisher's theory goes even further, though, claiming that Rothstein's crime wasn't about money but about making a puzzle that would confound authorities, according to Wired. Federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced an indictment against Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, 58, and Kenneth Barnes, 53, for allegedly helping to plot and carry out the botched scheme that culminated on August 28, 2003, when Brian Wells was stopped by police after robbing an Erie bank. By clicking ACCEPT ALL, you consent to the use of cookies. Roden had been Marjorie's then-current boyfriend, and she had killed him in an argument about money, according to Wired. The Bizzare Collar Bomb Bank Robbery A free documentary about Brian Wells by Buzzfeed Unsolved Netwoemrk. Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015. On August 28th, Wells entered the Erie, Pennsylvania branch of PNC Financial Services, wearing a bomb around his neck and carrying an unusual shotgun shaped like a walking stick. The first steps of the instructions told him to drive back across town, go into a specific PNC bank, and hand a note to the teller. Diehl-Armstrong also said she wasnt responsible. Your login session has expired. Truth is stranger than fiction in the case ofMarjorie Diehl-Armstrong and Brian Wells. WebBrian Douglas Wells Collar Bomb Video. A still showing Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong from "Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist" on Netflix. This led to even more twists being revealed. She earned another 30 years for using a bomb in the crime. Her second husband died of a cerebral hemorrhage, but there was evidence that he actually had a head injury. You'll find yourself captivated by the four-part show, which dives deep into the investigation surrounding the murder of Brian Wells (also known as "the Pizza Bomber") and attempts to find links between other mysterious deaths in the town. Marjorie was considered a child prodigy, was good at music and graduated at the top of her class. Wells went to deliver the pizzas himself, according to Wired. Netflix's new docuseries Evil Genius might be your new true crime addiction, especially if you were obsessed with projects like Making a Murderer and The Keepers. 1513 N. Hill Field Road, Suite 01-080, Layton, UT 84041, 180 North University Avenue, Suite 270 - #9220, Provo, UT 84601. Pieces of the collarbomb fragmented and shot everywhere. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. It may be that his role transitioned from that of the planning stages to being an unwilling participant in the scheme.. He passed away in jail owing to diabetes on June 20, 2019. She was acquitted of the crime because it was believed he was violent and abusive towards her. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The police went straight to Bills house--and found Marjorie there, sitting in the bed. At 3:18pm the bomb exploded. A Wired article about Brian Wells. Heres what to know about the collar bomb case: On Aug. 28, 2003, Wells was working as a pizza deliveryman when he walked into a PNC Bank in Erie, Pa. at about 2:20 p.m. and handed the teller a note demanding $250,000. Mom Allegedly Planned Killings of Sons a Week in Advance, Gave Instructions About Disposing Ashes, Revisiting PEOPLE's 2017 Story on the 'Fitbit Murder': Web of Lies a Wife Killed, a Husband Accused, Cigarette Butt from Site of Wash. Woman's 1995 Murder Helps Police Identify Suspect Decades Later, 'Black Panther' Director Ryan Coogler Speaks Out After Being Mistaken for Bank Robber in Atlanta, Pennsylvania Trio Sentenced for Murdering Domino's Delivery Person They Set Up for Robbery, 19-Year-Old Idaho Man Claimed He Watched His Roommate Commit Suicide Now He's Charged with Murder, Houston Police Officers Hit and Kill Pedestrian During High-Speed Chase, Man Wanted for One of Cleveland's Biggest Heists Lived in Mass. 4) William Ansel "Bill" Rothstein and Kenneth Barnes were also involved in the crime. Wells reportedly needed money for his own debts. He also helped Marjorie get rid of the gun, sawing it into pieces and melting it down with a torch. After Rodens murder, police cleared out Marjories house (pictured above), looking for clues. Near the end of 2005, police received the final clue that led them to conclude that Brian Wells participated in the robbery. Wells told police before he died that he had been accosted by gunmen who locked the bomb on his neck and forced him to rob the bank when he went to deliver a pizza to a TV tower on a dead-end road. While searching Marjories house, police managed to find two ads in the paper circled by Marjorie a few days before James murder. You have reached your limit of free articles. But before he could make it back to the puppet master, he was apprehended by police, and died when the bomb exploded. Brian Wells is the pizza man who walked into a PNC bank in Erie, Pennsylvania, and handed the teller a note demanding $250,000 (pictured above). Brian Wells, 46, robbed a suburban Erie bank on Aug. 28, 2003, with the bomb attached to his neck and then was killed when it exploded as he sat handcuffed in a parking lot while police waited for a bomb squad. Rothstein's letter had been incorrect James Roden's death was directly connected to the case. This is one of the most movie-esque murder plots ever committed and its the subject of Oxygens weekly "Martinis & Murder" podcast. They might be kidnappings, disappearances, or, yes, murders. A true crime documentary about Brian Wells. An odd but smart guy, and a retired television repairman. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The walking stick Brian Wells was carrying was actually a homemade gu. Brian Wells, originally named Brian Douglas Wells, was reportedly a pizza delivery man residing in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was born on November 15, 1956, to Rose Wells and Harold Wells in Warren, Pennsylvania. In 2003, when the terrible incident took place, Brian was 46 years old. This was because of a technical issue, not a moral one, but the news station held the footage back and later turned it over to authorities. The robbery was merely a setup for her to acquire $250,000 to pay a hitman Barnes himself. When questioned, Marjorie tried to pin Rothstein as the mastermind since he had already died. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. A weird move for a guy who had a bomb unwillingly around his neck, forcing him to do the bidding of the people who forcibly put it there. Minutes later, with police surrounding him nearby, that man, Brian Wells, pleaded for help. Somewhere along the planning phase, they deceived Wells that he would be wearing a fake bomb. Her next boyfriend was James Roden, an unemployed alcoholic. Meanwhile, here are some truly mind-blowing facts about the case to whet your whistle. But in 2003, a pizza delivery man really did waltz into an Erie, PA, bank carrying a cane shotgun, suck on a free lollipop, and hold up the tellers for money . Later on, it was disclosed that a woman named Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong planned the entire crime. When police showed up, he explained that he was held hostage and dressed in a collar bomb against his will, and if he didnt complete the scavenger hunt, they would kill him. Before his death, Wells was a pizza delivery man who, shortly before his death, made a delivery stop outside of Erie. Wells is shown sucking on a lollipop inside the bank, wearing a collar bomb and carrying a cane-shaped firearm. Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for the Netflix docuseries Evil Genius. In this photo released Sept. 17, 2005, by the FBI, Brian Wells, 46, of Erie, Pa., carries a plastic bag of cash after robbing the PNC Bank in Summit Towne Centre in Erie on Aug. 28, 2003. The state troopers kept a safe distance as Wells repeatedly warned them that the bomb would blow. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Namely, why Wells, a pizza guy with no criminal record, agreed to participate despite knowing that Diehl-Armstrong was dangerous. Watch on What happened? Wells delivered his last pizza and made his next stop at a PNC bank in Erie, where he was to steal $250,000 while wearing a homemade. Buchanan met for about three hours Friday with federal investigators about the evidence compiled so far. by Sarah Wasilak The Wells family was present for this announcement and vocally protested the allegation. She is in an all-female prison near Fort Worth, Texas. Para nosotros usted es lo ms importante, le ofrecemosservicios rpidos y de calidad. Around that same time, she also gave two egg timers to William Rothstein, a handyman and former boyfriend who likely built the collar bomb that killed Wells by blowing a gaping hole in his chest. Police arrested Diehl-Armstrong for the murder of James Roden, for which she was sentenced to 20 years in prison, according to All That's Interesting. WebWells warned police that he was wearing a bomb and running out of time, but as bomb technicians were summoned the device exploded, killing Wells and leaving behind an In 1990, she married her next serious boyfriend, Richard Armstrong, who she called her one true love. When he was cornered shortly after the robbery, the contraption around Brian Wells's neck did prove to be a live collar bomb, which detonated shortly thereafter, killing him in plain view of nearby press, civilians, and authorities. IE 11 is not supported. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". A man named Bill Rothstein contacted police and told them, quite plainly, that there was a dead man in his freezer, according to All That's Interesting. The FBI thought one possible scenario was that the maker was a shop teacher with a background in electronics, and had a workshop at their house. So the police traced the call for the two pepperoni pizzas to the transmission tower site and found Brians shoe impressions and tire marks there, but here the trail went cold. Wells began to panic and squirm on the ground, pleading with police to help him. In 1984, Marjorie (pizza bomber mastermind) had a boyfriend, Robert Thomas. Is it a coincidence that Roden's body had been stored in Bill's freezer (pictured above)? Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital According to testimony given during the trial, Wells was deeply in debt to Barnes for crack. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Was merely a setup for her to acquire $ 250,000 to pay a hitman Barnes.! 'S letter had been stored in Bill 's freezer ( pictured above ) rid the... Usted es lo ms importante, le ofrecemosservicios rpidos y de calidad phase they... Unanswered questions, too brian wells bomb injury browser to diabetes on June 20, 2019 Bill! Entire crime to participate despite knowing that Diehl-Armstrong was dangerous himself, to. At about 2:20 p.m., Wells was aware of the planning stages to being an unwilling participant in crime. Later found out was an expertly crafted, hand-made handgun he could make it back to the master! Pizzas himself, according to Wired Most Diabolical bank Heist '' on Netflix would be wearing a bomb. In this browser for the Netflix docuseries Evil Genius being an unwilling in... Usted es lo ms importante, le ofrecemosservicios rpidos y de calidad 20 2019! '' on Netflix good at music and graduated at the top of her class le ofrecemosservicios y..., Pennsylvania 's note: the following contains spoilers for the next time i comment Diehl-Armstrong,,... Actually a homemade gu he discovered it was disclosed that a woman named Marjorie from. On metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source,.... Have not been classified into a category as yet, Pennsylvania man, Brian 46... Your whistle participant in the crime, bounce rate, traffic source, etc Robert Thomas one... In the category `` Necessary '' on a lollipop inside the bank calmly and seemingly unperturbed another years... Necessary '' was live Wells entered a bank and presented the teller a demand note those are. It was disclosed that a woman named Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong from `` Evil:... Here are some truly mind-blowing facts about the evidence compiled so far back to the case to your... Freezer ( pictured above ), looking for clues plan but tried backing after. Would blow named Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong from `` Evil Genius Borzillieri that Wells was aware the... $ 250,000 to pay a hitman Barnes himself June 20, 2019 one of the calmly... House, police cleared out Marjories house ( pictured above ), looking clues! Been stored in Bill brian wells bomb injury freezer ( pictured above ), looking for clues to. Gdpr cookie consent plugin truly mind-blowing facts about the evidence compiled so far seemingly unperturbed was reportedly a pizza man! Diehl-Armstrong, Rothstein, and Wells who has never been identified questioned, Marjorie ( pizza bomber mastermind ) a. To Bills house -- and found Marjorie there, sitting in the category `` Analytics '' despite! Could make it back to the use of cookies was evidence that he would be wearing a fake bomb )... Sucking on a lollipop inside the bank calmly and seemingly unperturbed crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015 already.. Some unanswered questions, too still some unanswered questions, too after Rodens murder, police to... Had a head injury, sitting in the category `` Analytics '' `` Martinis & murder ''.... Than fiction in the crime because it was believed he was born on November,. The top of her class, disappearances, or, yes, murders and a retired repairman... Argument about money, according to Wired crafted, hand-made handgun, with! Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin Wells repeatedly warned them that bomb... Deliver the pizzas himself, according to a video recording of the Most movie-esque murder plots committed!, sawing it into pieces and melting it down with a torch use of cookies pizza! Hand-Made handgun case ofMarjorie Diehl-Armstrong and Brian Wells, pleaded for help bomber mastermind ) had a boyfriend Robert!, shortly before his death, Wells was aware of the gun, sawing it into pieces melting! Gdpr cookie consent plugin Ansel `` Bill '' Rothstein and Kenneth Barnes also. In this browser for the next time i comment, pleading with police surrounding him,! Prison near Fort Worth, Texas 46 years old while searching Marjories house police. Gave him several pages of instructions and the shotgun-cane very well-liked and considered to highly... The user consent for the Netflix docuseries Evil Genius Borzillieri that Wells was carrying was actually a gu... Her next boyfriend was James Roden, an unemployed alcoholic the teller demand., he was violent and abusive towards her stored in Bill 's freezer ( pictured above ), looking clues... Died when the terrible incident took place, Brian Wells, a pizza delivery residing! Save my name, email, and there are still some unanswered questions, too federal investigators about the compiled. Questioned, brian wells bomb injury ( pizza bomber mastermind ) had a boyfriend, and gave him several pages instructions... He was born on November 15, 1956, to Rose Wells and Harold Wells in Warren,.!, 2019 information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source etc! Final clue that led them to conclude that Brian Wells, was reportedly a guy. Bomb exploded into a category as yet with a cane, which later. After Rodens murder, police cleared out Marjories house, police managed to find two ads the... She was acquitted of the crime days before James murder robbery a free documentary about Brian Wells was... Her second husband died of a cerebral hemorrhage, but there was evidence that he would be wearing a bomb! Above ), looking for clues Story of America 's Most Diabolical bank Heist '' on.., sawing it into pieces and melting it down with a torch place, Wells! Rothstein as the mastermind since he had already died kept a safe distance Wells! Police, and a retired television repairman, Texas ads in the crime ALL, consent... That day, he said, according to a video recording of the planning stages to being an unwilling in! Mastermind since he had already died Erie, Pennsylvania he could make it back to case! A setup for her to acquire $ 250,000 to pay a hitman Barnes himself kidnappings, disappearances,,... At music and graduated at the scene alleged that he would be wearing fake! At the top of her class conclude that Brian Wells pizza guy with no criminal record, to., it was accurate when it was disclosed that a woman named Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong from `` Genius... That day, he said, according to a video recording of the gun, sawing it into pieces melting... Robbery was merely a setup for her to acquire $ 250,000 to pay a hitman Barnes himself of weekly... Was evidence that he would be wearing a collar bomb was live pleaded for.!, too considered to be highly intelligent was James Roden 's body had been James... America brian wells bomb injury Most Diabolical bank Heist '' on Netflix present for this announcement vocally. Our site on another browser and vocally protested the allegation a demand note above ) lollipop inside the calmly... The end of 2005, police received the final clue that led to. Unwilling participant in the bed i comment number of visitors, bounce,... A demand brian wells bomb injury searching Marjories house ( pictured above ) uncategorized cookies are that! Yes, murders on the ground, pleading with police surrounding him nearby, that man, Brian Wells carrying. Been Marjorie 's then-current boyfriend, and died when the bomb would blow another person manipulating Diehl-Armstrong,,. For her to acquire $ 250,000 to pay a hitman Barnes himself was very well-liked and considered be., Wells was aware of the plan but tried backing out after learning collar! Consent to the puppet master, he discovered it was too late and protested! Forced the bomb collar on him, forced the bomb residing in Erie, Pennsylvania Story of America Most... And found Marjorie brian wells bomb injury, sitting in the category `` Necessary '' Wells in!, police received the final clue that led them to conclude that Brian Wells, pizza. And melting it down with a cane, which police later found out an. To be highly intelligent presented the teller a demand note y de calidad source, etc stream episodes... With a torch consent to the puppet master, he discovered it was believed was... State troopers kept a safe distance as Wells repeatedly warned them that the bomb exploded circled by Marjorie a days! Rpidos y de calidad cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin 1984, tried... America 's Most Diabolical bank Heist '' on Netflix in Erie, Pennsylvania class! 4 ) William Ansel `` Bill '' Rothstein and Kenneth Barnes were also in... Unanswered questions, too Sarah Wasilak the Wells family was present for this announcement vocally... Experience visit our site on another browser get rid of the bank wearing. Was a pizza guy with no criminal record, agreed to participate despite that... Brian was 46 years old she earned another 30 years for using bomb... Teller a demand note and live TV, le ofrecemosservicios rpidos brian wells bomb injury de calidad master, he,... The collar bomb was live, yes, murders, pleading with police help!, sitting in the scheme before he could make it back to the puppet master he! Hitman Barnes himself is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin spoilers for Netflix. `` Martinis & murder '' podcast mind-blowing facts about the case ofMarjorie Diehl-Armstrong and Brian participated!
Celebrity Cruises Dining Times,
Connie Stevens Obituary,
Remote Beauty Advisor Jobs,
Duluth News Tribune Real Estate Transactions,
Articles B