It was a close call recently for a WWE star who lives in the Tampa area.
Officials with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office say Sonya Deville had an unexpected guest last Sunday, when a man broke into her home.
Apparently, 24-year-old Phillip Thomas had been planning for about eight months to take her hostage.
He lurked outside the house for about three to four hours, according to the police report.
When Deville turned in for the night, Thomas entered the home through a sliding door in the back, setting off the alarm.
That’s when Deville and a house guest left and called 911.
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. 🖤
— Daddy Deville (@SonyaDevilleWWE) August 17, 2020
Responding deputies found Thomas, who is from South Carolina, still loitering in the home.
“Our deputies are unveiling the suspect’s disturbing obsession with this homeowner who he had never met, but stalked on social media for years,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
He went on to say, “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. Our deputies arrived within minutes and arrested this man who was clearly on a mission to inflict harm.”
Thomas is charged with aggravated stalking, armed burglary of a dwelling, attempted armed kidnapping and criminal mischief.