Dive into the twisted tale of a collar bomb heist that keeps unraveling! Discover the bizarre story of Brian Wells, a pizza delivery driver caught in a surreal bank robbery. Uncover the chilling elements of coercion and tragedy as he wears a bomb under duress. Follow the chaotic scavenger hunt essential to the investigation, leading to a web of clues and dark pasts. The trial of Marjorie Deal Armstrong brings even more intrigue, with psychological evaluations and convoluted motives tied to her father's inheritance. It’s a captivating tale filled with crime, mystery, and unexpected turns!
The collar bomb heist involved complex relationships and manipulation, ultimately leading to the tragic death of Brian Wells under harrowing circumstances.
The intriguing scavenger hunt aspect of the case added a theatrical layer, complicating the investigation and highlighting the deceptive nature of the crime.
Deep dives
The Unfolding Heist
In 2003, a pizza delivery driver named Brian Wells received a call to deliver pizzas that led him to a bizarre and tragic series of events known as the Color Bomb Heist. After delivering the pizzas, Wells was forced at gunpoint to rob a bank while wearing a homemade bomb collar around his neck. He demanded $250,000 from the bank but left with only $8,702 after being informed that the bank's safe couldn't be accessed. Minutes later, while the police were apprehending him, the bomb went off, resulting in his shocking death.
The Scavenger Hunt Scheme
Wells was given instructions in the form of a scavenger hunt that was designed to mislead the police and potentially free him from the explosive collar. The police followed this scavenger hunt after Wells' death, searching numerous locations as suggested by the notes left behind. However, the activity fizzled out as the next location yielded no further clues. This scavenger hunt aspect added an oddly theatrical element to the already convoluted crime, hinting at a more extensive plot involved.
The Involvement of Key Characters
The investigation unearthed a tangled web of relationships, particularly pointing to Marjorie Deal Armstrong and Bill Rothstein as critical players in the plot. Armstrong was a notorious criminal with a history that included a previous murder, while Rothstein, who lived near the delivery site, allegedly masterminded the operation. Another significant figure emerged: Kenneth Barnes, who was linked to Armstrong and provided testimony implicating her as the orchestrator of the heist. This network of relationships complicated the narrative, with varying accounts of Wells' involvement and whether he was a willing accomplice or an innocent victim.
Legal Proceedings and Uncertainty
As the case progressed to trial, Armstrong maintained her innocence, claiming she had only supplied kitchen timers for the bomb and did not directly participate in the heist. Conflicting testimonies, especially from Barnes, suggested that Wells had been manipulated into thinking the operation was a hoax, only to discover the truth in a life-threatening moment. The jury ultimately convicted Armstrong, but the unresolved questions regarding Wells' complicity left his family devastated and fueled ongoing controversy. Debates surrounding the extent of each individual’s involvement in the tragic event highlight the complexity of the case and the persistent intrigue of true crime narratives.
The collar bomb heist is the crime caper that keeps on giving. Every time the story seemed like it was figured out, another layer appeared. Tune in to this classic episode to hear Josh and Chuck detail this very odd and twisty story.