The Pizza Bomber Conspiracy

4 snips

Jan 5, 2026

Delve into the bizarre case of Brian Wells, the pizza delivery driver who walked into a bank with a bomb collar demanding cash. Discover the chilling sequence of events leading to his tragic death just minutes after his arrest. The episode explores the convoluted conspiracy behind the robbery, uncovering hidden clues and strange characters like Marjorie Deal Armstrong, accused of orchestrating it all. With forensic twists and shocking lies, this story reveals a chilling web of deceit and desperation.

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INSIGHT

Bomb Complexity Points To Skilled Makers

Bomb technicians found the collar built from a locking metal collar, kitchen timers, and two pipe bombs.
Decoy wires and craftsmanship suggested experienced bomb-makers, implying Wells likely did not build it himself.

ANECDOTE

Scavenger Hunt Clues Left In Woods

Investigators followed Wells' scavenger-hunt style notes and found hidden containers and jars in wooded areas near Peach Street.
They theorized conspirators abandoned later clues after Wells' arrest, so he never completed the hunt.

ANECDOTE

Local Handyman And A Freezer Body

Reporter met Bill Rothstein at Peach Street shortly after the robbery and later he called 911 to report a frozen body in his chest freezer.
Police found James Roden's body in Rothstein's freezer and arrested Bill on suspicion of involvement.

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On the afternoon of August 23, 2003, Erie, Pennsylvania pizza delivery driver Brian Wells walked into the local branch of the PNC Bank and handed the teller a note warning that he had a bomb and they had fifteen minutes to hand over $250,000 or it would detonate. Unable to access the vault, the teller gave Wells all the cash on hand and he left as the employees triggered the emergency protocol.

Fifteen minutes later, Wells was spotted by police and placed under arrest. However, when they went to put handcuffs on the suspects, the officers discovered that Wells did indeed have an explosive device on him—it was strapped to his neck and rigged to explode. Officers cleared the area, but failed to alert the bomb squad in time and the device eventually exploded, killing Wells just three minutes before the bomb squad arrived.

The bizarre death of Brian Wells seemed to bring his brief criminal career to an end; yet as investigators began digging into the background of the delivery driver-turned-bank robber, they discovered the plot to rob the PNC Bank was far more elaborate than anyone had imagined.

References

Associated Press. 2003. "Witness also helped in 1977 slaying." Scranton Times, September 25: 5.

—. 2003. "Woman charged in roomate's death." The Sentinel (Carlisle, PA), September 23: 2.

Dao, James. 2003. "A childlike pizza deliveryman at the center of a puzzling crime." New York Times, September 5: A12.

Fuoco, Linda Wilson. 2003. "Robber, co-worker death query." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 1.

Fuoco, Michael. 2007. "Feds say collar bomb victim was part of plot." Pitsburgh Post-Gazette, July 12: 1.

Lin, Judy. 2003. "Erie bank robber explodes in police custody." Citizens' Voice (Wilkes-Barre, PA), August 31: 5.

—. 2003. "Bomb-case probers urge patience." Patriot-News (Harrisburg, PA), September 5: B5.

—. 2003. "Man may have been forced to rob Erie bank." The Daily Item (Sunbury, PA), August 31: 3.

Mandak, Joe. 2011. "Woman gets life plus 30 in collar-bomb death." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 1: 1.

Nephin, Dan. 2003. "Woman acquitted of boyfriend's death 15 years ago charges with killing another." The Morning Call (Allentown, PA), September 23: 14.

Schapiro, Rich. 2011. "Collar bomb." Wired, Janaury.

Times-Tribune. 2005. "Woman pleads guilty in killing." Times-Tribune (Scranton, PA), January 9: 2.

United States of America v. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong. 2009. 1:07-cr-26-SJM (United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, September 8).

United States of America v. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong. 2012. 11-1601 (United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, September 25).

Wire News Service. 2003. "Neighbors say bank robber led quiet life." Patriot-News (Harrisburg, PA), September 4: B3.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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