Brian Wells | |
|---|---|
 Wells' driver's license photo | |
| Born | November 15, 1956 Warren, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 28, 2003 (aged 46) Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Homicide via collar bomb explosion |
| Occupation | Pizza delivery driver |
On August 28, 2003, pizza delivery man Brian Douglas Wells robbed a PNC Bank near his hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. Upon being apprehended by police, Wells died when an explosive collar locked to his neck detonated. The FBI investigation into his death uncovered a complex plot described as "one of the most complicated and bizarre crimes in the annals of the FBI".[1]
In conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the FBI investigation led to Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong and Kenneth Barnes being charged with the crime in 2007. The investigation determined the plot was masterminded by Diehl-Armstrong to receive an inheritance by hiring Barnes with the money from the bank robbery to kill her father. William Rothstein and Floyd Stockton were also found to have conspired in the crime, but Rothstein died before being charged and Stockton was granted immunity in exchange for testifying against Diehl-Armstrong. Diehl-Armstrong was sentenced in 2011 to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, and Barnes received a reduced sentence of 22½ years in exchange for testifying against Diehl-Armstrong; both died in prison.
Wells' involvement in the plot is a matter of controversy. Investigators concluded Wells was a unwilling/forced participant in the robbery at first, but he found out later that the bomb was real. Wells' family said he was forced to rob the bank by the conspirators. Known as the collar bomb case or pizza bomber case, the incident gained extensive media coverage, including the 2018 Netflix series Evil Genius.
- ^ Griffin, Drew; Fitzpatrick, David (August 8, 2011). "New details revealed in 'pizza collar bomb' heist". Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2018.