U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

3311 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203

August 27, 2004

COLLARBOMBER PROFILE

Over the last year, members of both the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) and Explosives Unit (EU) at the FBI Laboratory , have been working closely with the COLLARBOMB Task Force. These experts have collectively studied this case in great detail. They have visited the crime scene, met with investigators, and analyzed both the offender's behavior as well as the forensic evidence. This past July, task force members traveled to the Behavioral Analysis Unit at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia where they consulted with these experts.

According to these FBI and ATF experts, this is a very complex crime, and most likely involves more than one person. However, it is the "mastermind" , that person who oversaw its design and implementation, that has left the blueprint of his personality on every aspect of the crime. We are referring to this person as "Collarbomber".

Today, we will be releasing to the public several key opinions from these experts concerning the personality of "Collarbomber " based on the way he constructed the collar bomb and the cane shotgun as well as his writing style as evidenced by today's newly released bank robbery note.

The Task Force is asking you to consider all the information you learn today in terms of whether or not you know someone who fits these descriptors. At the time this crime occurred, we believe "Collarbomber" lived or worked in or near Erie. He was a member of our community, and he still could be, and he could be someone you know.

While you may know "Collarbomber", you may not have personal information that he can be violent, or is even the type of person to become involved in a crime like this. Many criminals hide their dark sides from family and friends. Perhaps the person you know with the personality traits and characteristics we talk about today, just does not look like the type of person capable of committing this crime. It is important to note that the exhibition of one or more of these behavioral characteristics alone are not indicative of one's involvement in a crime. These behavioral characteristics are being shared so that the public may be sensitive to them, and bring forth possible helpful information.

Many of us base our judgments about criminal behavior on what a person looks like. That is not unusual. However, the physical face of violence is often very normal. Any information you provide may be valuable to the Task Force. The Task Force will be able to determine the relevance, if any, of the information provided.

FBI explosives experts analyze all types of devices built by bombers from around the world. They are internationally recognized as having expertise in reconstructing bombs, studying their design, construction and each individual component, and then providing opinions about the bomber's experience, level of sophistication, ingenuity, and creativity. The forensic experts who have reconstructed this device noted both design and fabrication flaws, which may or may not have been intentional on the part of "Collarbomber". Knowing his intentions would make a difference in the type of bomber he is.

Today, specific details about the bomb's construction , the cane shotgun and the demand notes are being released to the public for the first time. The FBI believes someone will recognize "Collarbomber's" handiwork and his personality traits which come through in his bomb making ability and in his writing. These personality traits will be recognizable in the non-criminal areas of "Collarbomber's" life and that is where you, the people who make Erie your home, are very important.

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.