WWE Superstar Sonya Deville was the victim of an attempted armed kidnapping yesterday according to a news report by the Tampa Bay News.
The kidnapper, 24-year-old Phillip A. Thomas II, had been planning about it for eight months, the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office said.
According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, Thomas parked his car away from the intended target at around Midnight and then walked to Deville’s home in Lutz. He cut a hole in the patio screen and scouted the home for several hours before entering the property after Deville went to bed at around 2:43AM. Going in through the sliding glass door, Thomas activated the intrusion alarm.
Deville, who also had a guest with her, fled the house after she noticed Thomas through a window and called 911. When deputies arrived, Thomas was still in the house and he was found carrying a knife, plastic zip ties, duct tape, mace and other items. He confessed that the plan was to kidnap the WWE Superstar.
Thomas was arrested on the spot and charged with aggravated stalking, armed burglary of a dwelling, attempted armed kidnapping, and criminal mischief. He was being held without bail.
“Our deputies are unveiling the suspect’s disturbing obsession with this homeowner who he had never met, but stalked on social media for years,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “It’s frightening to think of all the ways this incident could have played out had the home alarm not gone off and alerted the homeowner of an intruder.”
His Twitter account at @Phillip80400010 is full of tweets about Deville, showing the obsession he had about her.
Reacting to the events, Deville tweeted, “Thank you everyone for your love and concern. A very frightening experience but thankfully everyone is safe. A special thank you to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for their response and assistance.”
