The details of the bomber sound like 99.9% of those on this newsgroup.



http://pittsburgh.fbi.gov/pressrel/2...llarbomber.htm

THE DETAILS SURROUNDING THE CRIME

The FBI is seeking information regarding the robbery of the PNC Bank in Erie,
Pennsylvania, and the subsequent death of Brian Wells, on August 28, 2003. Law
enforcement investigators are asking the public's help in identifying the
individual or individuals responsible for these crimes.

FBI REWARD - $50,000

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading directly
to the identification of the individual or individuals responsible for the bank
robbery and death of Brian Wells.


The Collar Bomb and Cane Shotgun

The bomb was contained in a metal frame constructed of sections of angle iron
and sheet metal. This can be seen in the accompanying photos. Each piece of
angle iron was cut and fitted to make a box in which the bomb itself was
contained. This iron box was attached to the collar which was locked around the
neck of Mr. Brian Wells.

To preserve the forensic aspects of the investigation, the exact construction
and inner workings of the bomb cannot be provided. However, portions of the
bomb, the collar, and the cane shotgun appear to have been constructed from
older materials. These materials could have been obtained from scrap, or were
assembled years prior to the actual robbery. Because of the age of some of the
bomb and cane shotgun materials, it should be stressed that even if someone
remembers an event from years ago which reminds them of the bomb, the collar or
the cane shotgun it might still be relevant to the case. The use of scrap
materials in addition to the use of inexpensive store bought materials suggests
this offender is a frugal person who saves scraps of various and sundry
materials in order to reuse them in various projects. Someone who knows
"Collarbomber" might refer to him as a "pack-rat" because of this behavior. If
"Collarbomber" lives with others, his frugality and pack-rat type behavior
could be a source of irritation and arguments because he saves everything.

Many pieces of the bomb, collar and gun were custom made. This required someone
with the ability to work with wood, metal, wiring and plastic. "Collarbomber"
is comfortable around a wide variety of power tools and shop machines. He
likely manufactures a wide variety of items and is thought of as "mechanically
inclined". In order to store his tools, various materials, and to build the
bomb and cane shotgun, he would have had access to an area where he could spend
extended periods of time working alone, undisturbed and undetected. This could
include a workshop at home, or in a rental facility. If his work area is
provided to him by his employer, he would have nearly exclusive access to it,
or have access to it after hours, authorized or unauthorized.

Many of the bomb and cane shotgun components demonstrate a significant
attention to detail and were custom fit for use in these devices.
"Collarbomber" is the type of person who takes pride in building a variety of
things, and spent a great deal of time in the planning and construction of the
components he assembled for this device.

It is the opinion of FBI forensic experts that "Collarbomber" has likely shown
an inclination towards "shop-type" projects from the time he was a young man.
He has probably built a variety of objects over the years with a preference
towards projects which are destructive, such as knives, projectile shooters, or
other weapons. Other projects he has made will likely have the same features as
the collarbomb and the cane shotgun. They will be customized, constructed in
large part from left over materials he has on hand, over-engineered, and
deceptive in their design and purpose, for example , both a collar and a bomb,
both a cane and a shotgun.

"Collarbomber's" work from a high school Shop Class or VoTech class is likely
to stand out to others who were in the class with him because of the themes of
his projects: power, control, destruction, deception, maiming and causing
injury to others.

"Collarbomber" used many exaggerations in the warnings concerning the bomb
itself. He was deceptive about how the bomb functioned and could be disarmed.
There were wires that went nowhere and were connected to nothing. There were
warnings inscribed on the device which were also deceptive, for example, the
presence of numerous booby traps on the device. These warnings suggest a device
more complicated than it really was.

To the general public, this crime may appear to be an elaborate bank robbery.
However, it continues to be the opinion of the BAU that this is much more than
a mere bank robbery. The behavior seen in this crime was choreographed by
"Collarbomber" watching on the sidelines according to a written script in which
he attempted to direct others to do what he wanted them to do. This is very
unusual and complex criminal behavior. Because of the complex nature of this
crime, the BAU believes there were multiple motives for the offender, and money
was not the primary one.

One of the most striking features of "Collarbomber's" writings, a feature which
is also seen in his bomb construction, is his deceptiveness. The letters are
deceptive in tone. "Collarbomber" gives instructions to Mr. Wells and to the
Police which would place them in the same location at approximately the same
time. If "Collarbomber" was primarily concerned with getting the money, he
would have wanted Brian Wells out of the area of the PNC bank as soon as
possible.

FBI analysts believe that "Collarbomber" has written other letters over his
lifetime with similar themes of power, control, ultimatums, limited options,
wanting revenge and dire consequences if his demands are not met. These letters
could have gone to banks, businesses, or individuals as the result of some type
of real or perceived injustice. The tone and linguistic style of those
historical letters will resemble the notes he prepared in this case.

In analyzing a violent crime, the BAU considers the offender's post -offense
behavior. What would he have done after the bank robbery and the death of Brian
Wells? It is the opinion of the BAU, that "Collarbomber" would have monitored
the investigation in the media in order to determine law enforcement's
progress. His comments to others about the case would be circumspect and
guarded. However, those around him might recall his having made off-handed,
derogatory but grandiose remarks about the case: deriding investigators for not
being as smart as the offender; offset by complimentary remarks about the
bomb-maker's ability.

It is also the opinion of the BAU that the offender may have re-located shortly
after the bombing, in an effort to put time and distance between himself and
the investigation. Despite a location change, however, "Collarbomber's"
personality will not change. He is likely to continue engaging in his solitary
activities of fixing and fabricating things. His need for control suggests a
lack of flexibility. Relocation requires initiating new relationships, new job,
new contacts, finding a new place to live, etc. and this type of change would
probably not come easy for "Collarbomber" because it requires flexibility . So,
if he left this area he would have a difficult time severing all of his ties to
the community - such as they are, and could even move back after awhile.

Despite the fact that this was an elaborate plan, it ultimately fell apart.
Brian Wells was killed, and the bank's money was recovered. It is not likely
"Collarbomber " intended for his scheme to end in the way it did or as quickly
as it did. He did not invest his time and effort into this plan only for it to
fail, and the reality of this failure would have angered and frustrated him. He
may still be brooding about the outcome a year later.

The FBI urges caution to people who believe they know this offender. He is
dangerous. He does not want to be caught and go to jail. He sees people as a
liability and he does not trust them. Brian Wells could have known this person,
but misjudged his level of dangerousness. People must keep in mind that
offenders involved in the criminal use of explosives pose a hazard not only to
themselves but to those around them because of the dangerous and unpredictable
nature of this type of weapon. "Collarbomber" was more than willing to
construct a device which could have potentially killed him during its
construction. This individual is willing to bring harm to others even if doing
so puts his own life in jeopardy.

Today we are releasing for the first time information which may be critical to
the investigation. A sample of writing containing both letters and numbers, has
been identified from a page of one of the bank robbery notes. This writing is
referred to as "indented writing" and was identified by experts at our FBI
laboratory. These forensic scientists were able to capture writing raised from
indentations left by markings on previous pages of the notepad on which the
bank robbery note was written.

The photographs provided show the indented writing which contains both letters
and numbers. Task force members are investigating every variation and sequence
of these numbers and letters. We have removed two digits from each of the
numbers to protect the right to privacy of others. The Task Force does not
believe that these individuals have any involvement whatsoever with the crime.

If anyone recognizes the above style or content of the provided writing, please
contact the COLLARBOMB Task Force at 1-866-219-2008. Anyone wishing to remain
anonymous in doing so is welcome to write to the FBI at POB 1726, Erie, PA
16507. Today, the FBI has increased its reward to $100,000 for information
leading to the identification of those responsible for this crime.

:/




caveat lector

Halcitron misc.survivalism alt.survival
"Failing to prepare.... Is preparing to fail."
NRA Member since 2002
The Law of the Land, is the weapon in your hand.

Smith & Wesson starts where the Bill of Rights stop.

"In my humble opinion, the petty carping levied against Bush by
the Democrats proves again, it is better to have your eye plucked
out by an eagle than to be nibbled to death by ducks." - Norman
Liebmann