The story feels almost too insane to be real if it were a fictional movie plot, you might think: "Eh, this feels like a bit of a stretch.". . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The debated question of Wells true involvement, as well as how the investigation unfolded, is re-examined in Netflixs four-part docu series Evil Genius: The True Story of Americas Most Diabolical Bank Heist, which is streaming now. Bill said that six weeks earlier, Marjorie had called him in a panic, saying shed shot and killed her boyfriend, James Roden. The bomb collar was nothing at all like it was described in the instructions. Pieces of the collarbomb fragmented and shot everywhere. A witness pointed authorities to a man named Kenneth Barnes (another compulsive hoarder), a close friend of Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, claiming that Barnes had been involved in the bomb collar case. As was later proved in court, Diehl-Armstrong hatched the robbery scheme to force Wells into the PNC Bank in Erie with a ticking bomb around his neck because she apparently needed money so she that could have her father killed. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. While most crime stories have a lot of commonalities (the husband did it, and DNA can prove it! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A 46-year-old pizza delivery man with a bomb fastened around his neck robbed a Pennsylvania bank in August 2003, walking out with more than $8,000 in cash. You can find out everything about the weird, complex crime in Oxygens weekly. 11 hours ago, by Eden Arielle Gordon He was another genius who was in Mensa. 2. 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. Before his death, Wells was a pizza delivery man who, shortly before his death, made a delivery stop outside of Erie. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! According to Rothstein, he hadn't even spoken to Diehl-Armstrong for a long time before she called and asked if he would help her hide Roden's body. 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. Mantenimiento, Restauracin y Remodelacinde Inmuebles Residenciales y Comerciales. You have reached your limit of free articles. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. The collar and box were a bomb, and they'd go off in 15 minutes if he didn't get the money, according to All That's Interesting. But things took yet another turn when Marjorie was found mentally incompetent to stand trial by the court in 2004. 1 day ago. Marjories first boyfriend was named Rob Thomas. On August 28, Wells was forced to go to Erie's PNC Bank to carry out a heist. The keyholes on the collar did nothing. In July 2007, a month shy of the four-year anniversary of Wells' death by collar bomb, the US attorney's office in Erie called a news conference about "a major development" in the case. Standing before a bank of TV cameras, US attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced that the investigation was over. She was ultimately found not guilty on the grounds that he was allegedly violent and abusive towards her. WebThe notes given to Wells. All right, well we've had those before, and many times you arrive on scene and they're hoax devices. Not only was his life at stake, but the lives of those around him and his family and friends. The next time he was seen was later that same afternoon, when he walked into Eries PNC Bank and passed the teller a note demanding $250,000. Law enforcement knew that Diehl-Armstrong had a history of killing, while Rothstein did not. After Brian Wells was dead, police picked up two key pieces of evidence: The instructions provided by his attackers and the remnants of the bomb itself. Why is no one coming to get this thing off of me? he asked authorities. Brian Wells, originally named Brian Douglas Wells, was reportedly a pizza delivery man residing in Erie, Pennsylvania. "I get a call, 'Hey we got a new bank robbery at 7200 Peach Street, [and there is] a potential bomb utilized during the robbery.' But she didnt--instead, on January 7th, 2005, she pled guilty to the murder of James Roden, and was sentenced to 7 to 20 years in prison. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. The pizza delivery man, who was reportedly a hostage in the deadly crime, left the PNC bank in a petrified state as if someone was controlling his every movement. Wells and Barnes never knew each other until Barnes began looking for a patsy for Diehl-Armstrong's bomb plot. But don't press "play" unprepared or you could find yourself unwittingly witnessing some seriously gruesome stuff. Brian Wells went from being a planner to being the only murder victim of a Bank Heist. In 2003, when the terrible incident took place, Brian was 46 years old. Some people out there disagree, though. Sign up for our Celebrity & Entertainment newsletter. He found it, according to All That's Interesting. It beeped for about 10 seconds before it detonated, killing Wells and stunning an audience that had gathered to watch the bizarre situation unfold. Here at Robert J. DeBry & Associates we analyze cases such as these and help those who need to build cases for wrongful death, injury and more. TAMPA Austin Wells has been dealt a tough break. Kara Rhodes, Erie Times News reporter, was at the scene; "The bomb went off and there was just silence, it was eerily silent." This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Either way, Barnes said that Wells and Roden knew the full details of the plot and had been killed to ensure their silence. At about 2:20 p.m., Wells entered a bank and presented the teller a demand note. Until something clearly went wrong, that is. The note was addressed to "Receptionist" and "Bank Manager" and referred to the man in front of her as "Bomb Hostage." After being convicted for the murder of James Roden, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong approached the authorities. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The riveting episode airs exclusively on the popular true crime network Oxygen on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 7 pm Eastern Time (ET). It all started with a phone call on September 20, 2003, less than a month after Wells' death. 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. Buchanan said the investigation has been complicated by the deaths of at least two witnesses. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Please select the topics you're interested in: Would you like to turn on POPSUGAR desktop notifications to get breaking news ASAP? The PNC bank teller, shocked by the note Wells had handed her, told him that she wouldn't be able to produce $250,000 for him. Her second husband died of a cerebral hemorrhage, but there was evidence that he actually had a head injury. 1155, Col. San Juan de Guadalupe C.P. While waiting for the bomb squad to arrive, the collar bomb went off, and after a few struggling breaths, Wells died on the pavement he was seated on. Wells told police that the bomb on his neck was on a timer and that hed been forced to rob the bank. While waiting for the bomb squad to arrive, the collar bomb went off, and after a few struggling breaths, Wells died on the pavement he was seated on. Rothstein, meanwhile, was charged for his involvement with the crime, but never saw his day in court. Now in a state mental hospital, Marjories testimony against Bill would be useless. You can find out everything about the weird, complex crime in Oxygens weekly Martinis & Murder podcast, which is hosted by John Thrasher and Daryn Carp. Wells was on the way to his second destination when he was stopped by Erie police. The case involved nearly 1,000 interviews and as many leads, Buchanan said. This powerful, booby-trapped bomb can be removed only by following our instructions ACT NOW, THINK LATER OR YOU WILL DIE! The notes led Brian on a bizarre scavenger hunt, giving him time extensions on the bomb exploding for each step completed. What Injuries Do Robert J. DeBry Car Accident Lawyers Accept? According to the indictment, heres how it happened: Ray Morrow, special agent in charge of the FBIs Pittsburgh office, called the three-year, 10-month case an outstanding, old-fashioned investigation and lauded the joint efforts of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. On the stand, Marjorie gave a long and rambling testimony (possibly a symptom of bipolar). Please consult us at Robert J. DeBry & Associates for a professional, experienced lawyer. The bomb was attached to the collar, authorities said. In interviews, Rothstein cooperated and told police that he didn't kill James Roden. Wells' brother, John Wells, 44, of Phoenix, said the family won't be happy until justice is meted out. Retired FBI agents Jim Fisher and Jerry Clark, who was prominently featured in Evil Genius, also believe Rothstein was responsible for the crime. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. On top of her sentence for killing her boyfriend, Diehl-Armstrong, 68, was serving a life sentence after being convicted for her role in the robbery. Philly.com says prosecutors had a witness, a prostitute who alleged that Brian often paid $15 to 20 to have sex with her at Bills house, but its only an allegation. The Bizzare Collar Bomb Bank Robbery A free documentary about Brian Wells by Buzzfeed Unsolved Netwoemrk. Wells then followed the next set steps of his instructions, which directed him to a McDonald's near the bank, where he'd find a note with more instructions under a stone in the parking lot. "I get a call, 'Hey we got a new bank robbery at 7200 Peach Street, [and there is] a potential bomb utilized during the robbery.' He was also walking with a cane, which police later found out was an expertly crafted, hand-made handgun. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong died of breast cancer in 2017 while still in prison. Watch on What happened? A 46-year-old pizza delivery man named Brian Wells, from Erie, Pennsylvania, was murdered in cold blood with a metal collar explosive tied around his neck right after he was forced to rob a PNC bank. WebMarjorie Diehl-Armstrong, the Pizza Bombers mastermind, has been identified. Mere minutes before the bomb squad could arrive. Three minutes before the bomb squad arrived, the collar detonated, tearing a hole in Wells' chest and killing him within moments, according to All That's Interesting. Sanitiza tu hogar o negocio con los mejores resultados. This powerful, booby-trapped bomb can be removed only by following our instructions ACT NOW, THINK LATER OR YOU WILL DIE! The notes led Brian on a bizarre scavenger hunt, giving him time extensions on the bomb exploding for each step completed. While the Troopers kept their distance from Wells, waiting for the bomb squad to arrive and confirm the bomb story, the device around Wells neck suddenly stopped beeping. Great, Click the Allow Button Above He had a bomb locked around his neck like a handcuff, resulting in a giant protrusion out the front of his t-shirt. In 2003, one of the most bizarre crimes ever seen began unfolding. Today's video is about the infamous She would not say if Rothstein, who died of cancer in July 2004, was one of those witnesses. It also describes violent content that some audiences may find disturbing. There are entire TV channels and streaming services dedicated to crime stories. Apparently, this didn't seem to dissuade Wells. This is an FBI handout photo of the collar device used to secure a bomb to Brian Wells' neck. 'We know all the details'"The government knows what happened the day of the incident. Barnes claimed that this moment was the point at which Wells became aware that the bomb was real, though eyewitness accounts from the day of the robbery say that Wells had been cool until the bomb began to beep. A prosecutor in the case once reportedly described the suspects as twisted, intellectually bright, dysfunctional individuals who outsmarted themselves., Barnes pleaded guilty to weapons and conspiracy charges and remains in prison while Diehl-Armstrong was convicted and later died behind bars. If not for losing his life, he could have gotten a personal injury lawyer and built a case against them. She was acquitted of the crime because it was believed he was violent and abusive towards her. This collar was attached to a box under his shirt, creating a large lump under the t-shirt. Barnes was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison, and Diehl-Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison, where she died in 2017. 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. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong had once been a very different person. The police arrested Marjorie for the shooting. Rothstein's letter had been incorrect James Roden's death was directly connected to the case. She said the investigators set her up and the government framed her, and that Bill was the true mastermind.. In fact, the meticulous instructions also included detailed maps, descriptions of the bomb's construction, and very pointed threats to "Bomb Hostage" to follow the rules exactly. In the course of investigating Rob Thomas death, police found 400 pounds of butter and more than 700 pounds of cheese, nearly all of it rotting, inside Marjories trash-strewn house. all while wearing a bulky contraption around his neck, covered in a T-shirt that ominously read "Guess." 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. Another suspect, Kenneth Barnes a longtime friend of Diehl-Armstrongs told authorities that Diehl-Armstrong solicited him to kill Roden and also Diehl-Armstrongs father because he was giving away money she believed was her inheritance to charities and friends. James Roden was Marjories boyfriend at the time of the pizza bomb plot, and he had allegedly threatened to rat Marjorie out to the police--which was apparently when she shot him dead. Wells had told police he had been forced to rob the bank. All right, well we've had those before, and many times you arrive on scene and they're hoax devices. However, that day, he discovered it was accurate when it was too late. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Armed with Kenneth Barnes' testimony, police put Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong on trial once again, this time for the bomb plot. If it sounds familiar, thats because it is. 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). A new Black Mirror episode called Shut Up And Dance also eerily dramatises a similar crime. According to Ken, Marjorie also killed James -- remember, he was her ex, who was found in Bills freezer -- because he threatened to tell police about her plot. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital He She was unable to access more than $8,702, which he took. In July 2007, four years after the robbery, federal prosecutors announced that Barnes and Diehl-Armstrong were believed to have been responsible, along with other conspirators including Wells, who was involved in a limited extent with the planing.. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. . Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? For cases such as these Personal Injury lawyers are used to build cases and file for compensation. Kenneth Barnes had already pleaded guilty as part of his deal in 2008, according to All That's Interesting. The scavenger hunt notes contained language like we and us, implying there were multiple conspirators involved. The collar was still attached around Wells' neck, and initial investigations revealed something stunning. The papers were addressed to the Bomb Hostage and contained directions first to rob the bank and then to proceed on an elaborate scavenger hunt for keys and codes to disable the explosive Wells wore. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Does anyone have the actual video of the bomb going off or any aftermath pictures? 14 hours ago, by Monica Sisavat 1513 N. Hill Field Road, Suite 01-080, Layton, UT 84041, 180 North University Avenue, Suite 270 - #9220, Provo, UT 84601. He walked up to a bank teller and handed her a note, informing her that he needed $250,000 in a bag. He is expected to be released in 2027, prison officials said. The latest crime coverage, prison officials said said that Wells and Barnes never knew each other until Barnes looking. 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