South Carolina man arrested inside WWE wrestler's Tampa home: sheriff's office
08/17/2020 10:32 am PDT
via WTSP:
LUTZ, Fla. (WTSP) -- Phillip A. Thomas II, 24, was arrested Sunday morning after traveling from South Carolina to Lutz to commit a crime he had planned for months, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Florida.
Detectives say Thomas entered a home in the Promenade at Lake Park subdivision in Lutz, located along Pine Hammock Boulevard. Property records show the property is owned by Daria Berenato, also known as professional WWE wrestler "Sonya Deville."
Detectives said Thomas parked his car at a nearby church, walked to the home, cut a hole in the patio screen and remained there for three to four hours, watching and listening through the windows. The sheriff's department said at about 2:43 a.m., Thomas allegedly entered through a back sliding glass door, which activated the home alarm. The homeowner and a guest left the home in a car and called 911.
Arriving deputies found Thomas still inside the residence, carrying a knife, plastic zip-ties, duct tape, mace and other personal items, according to the sheriff's department. Through the investigation process, detectives said Thomas admitted he was planning to take the homeowner hostage.
Thomas was charged with aggravated stalking, armed burglary of a dwelling, attempted armed kidnapping and criminal mischief.
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