14. The Collar Bomb Heist: Unraveling the Mystery Behind the Pizza Bomber Case

The "Collar Bomb" case, also known as the "Pizza Bomber" case, took place on August 28, 2003, in Erie, Pennsylvania. Brian Wells, a pizza delivery driver, was forced to rob a bank with a bomb strapped around his neck. Wells claimed that three men had coerced him into the robbery, and he had been given a series of notes outlining a "treasure hunt" he had to follow to find the key to disarm the bomb. After robbing the bank, Wells was arrested, but before the bomb squad arrived, the device exploded, killing him.

Investigations revealed that the bomb was real and meticulously designed, but the treasure hunt was a setup, and there was no way for Wells to survive. The case led authorities to Bill Rothstein, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, and Kenneth Barnes, who were later implicated in the plot. Diehl-Armstrong was identified as the mastermind, with Barnes providing key testimony that led to the group's arrests. Jessica Hoopsick, a later witness, revealed that Wells had not been complicit in the crime but had been chosen for his vulnerability.

The case, which involved a complex and bizarre plot, was one of the most challenging in FBI history. Despite convictions, some mysteries remain, including whether Wells knew about the plan or was entirely an innocent victim.

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