The FBI has released photographs of a metal collar found around the neck of a pizza delivery man who robbed a bank and then was killed when a bomb strapped to his body exploded.
FBI Agent Bob Rudge said the bureau hoped that by releasing the photos of the collar and
locking device, someone may come forward to help solve the strange case.
Arrested on Friday after a bank robbery, Brian Douglas Wells told authorities someone had forced him to rob the bank.
He told officers a bomb was attached to him, but he died when it exploded before the bomb squad could get there.
At a news conference yesterday, Rudge showed photographs of the metal collar he said was around Wells' neck and a lock that kept it in place.
The triple-banded collar had four locks and a dial combination.
"It's been reported that the bomb was sophisticated, but I don't agree with that," Rudge said.
"It is a very common explosive device. What makes it unique, however, was the manner in which it was affixed to the person.
"The question as to why this individual was targeted, if indeed he was targeted, certainly remains a question. We have not closed any doors as to determining whether he was an innocent victim or a participant.
"We just don't know at this point."
Police had surrounded Wells, 46, a short time after he robbed a bank outside Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Wells had gone to deliver a pizza to a mysterious address in a remote area about an hour before he arrived at the bank with the bomb strapped to his body.
When police stopped him, he told them about the bomb and asked why authorities weren't helping to get it off him.
"I don't have a lot of time," Wells had said, his final words to police captured on video.
Police backed off and were waiting for the bomb squad when the device exploded. No one else was injured.
According to police and the FBI, Wells produced an "extensive" robbery note at the bank, which has been sent to handwriting experts. Rudge did not release any additional information about the note yesterday.
Meanwhile, officials released information from an autopsy on one of Wells' co-workers, Robert Pinetti, 43, who was found dead on Monday at his home in nearby Lawrence Park Township.
Authorities do not know if his death is connected with Wells' case.
Pinetti had a history of substance abuse and preliminary testing appeared to show methadone and "valium-type" drugs in his system, authorities said. There was no trauma.
- AGENCIES
The FBI has released photographs of a metal collar found around the neck of a pizza delivery man who robbed a bank and then was killed when a bomb strapped to his body exploded.
FBI Agent Bob Rudge said the bureau hoped that by releasing the photos of the collar and
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