True Crime Stories: The Pizza Bomber Case
A Step-by-Step Look at America's Most Bizarre Bank Robbery
The Day Everything Changed: August 28, 2003
At 1:30 PM on a hot summer afternoon, Brian Wells started his shift at Mama Mia's Pizzeria in Erie, Pennsylvania. For thirteen years, the 46-year-old had been a familiar face around town, known as a reliable delivery driver who never missed an address. But this ordinary Thursday would become his last day alive.
The Bank Robbery
Around 2:20 PM, security cameras captured Wells walking into the PNC Bank on Peach Street. He was carrying what looked like a walking cane and wearing what appeared to be a large white t-shirt. Under that shirt was something that would shock the nation: a custom-made metal bomb collar locked around his neck.
Wells handed the teller a note demanding $250,000. He walked out with $8,702 in cash, far less than he'd asked for. But this was just the beginning of his terrifying ordeal.
The Police Encounter
At 2:38 PM, state troopers spotted Wells in the parking lot of a nearby eyewear store. They arrested him and handcuffed him while he sat on the pavement. Wells kept telling the officers, "I'm not lying! I don't have a lot of time!"
He explained that someone had forced him to rob the bank and that the bomb around his neck was real. He begged for help, saying he'd been forced to follow a complex scavenger hunt with instructions that would supposedly tell him how to remove the bomb.
At 3:18 PM, as police waited for the bomb squad to arrive, the collar bomb detonated. Brian Wells died on the scene, with news cameras rolling.
The Investigation Begins
In Wells' car, police found detailed instructions for a scavenger hunt around Erie. Each clue promised to lead to a key or code that would disarm the bomb. But investigators soon realized something chilling: the hunt was impossible to complete in the time given. Wells had been destined to fail from the start.
The Mastermind
The breakthrough in the case came from an unexpected source. William Rothstein, a local handyman, contacted police about a body in his freezer. This led investigators to Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, a woman with a brilliant mind and a troubled past.
Diehl-Armstrong wasn't just any suspect. She had once been a star student, known for her sharp intelligence and academic achievements. But mental illness and a pattern of violent relationships had sent her life spiraling into darkness.
The Conspiracy Unravels
As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a complex plot involving several people:
Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong: The mastermind who planned the robbery
William Rothstein: Her former fiancé who helped build the bomb collar
Kenneth Barnes: A friend of Diehl-Armstrong who helped plan the crime
Jessica Hoopsick: A former escort who allegedly helped choose Wells as the target
Justice Served
In 2010, seven years after Brian Wells' death, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years for her role in the crime. Kenneth Barnes received 45 years in prison after agreeing to testify against her. William Rothstein had died of cancer before the trial.
The Questions That Remain
One major question still haunts investigators: Was Brian Wells a willing participant who got in over his head, or was he truly an innocent victim? While Diehl-Armstrong claimed Wells was in on the plot, his family has always maintained his innocence.
The Impact on Erie
The pizza bomber case changed Erie forever. Local businesses created new safety protocols for delivery drivers. Banks enhanced their security measures. The FBI even developed new procedures for handling cases involving explosive devices.
Today, the case serves as a stark reminder of how a brilliant mind, corrupted by mental illness and criminal intent, crafted one of America's most bizarre crimes.
Watch Our Investigation
Want to see where this bizarre case unfolded? Our video takes you through the streets of Erie, exploring the locations and evidence that made this one of the FBI's most baffling cases.