Sonya Deville Issues Statement Over Alleged Abduction Attempt By Man At Her Home

UPDATE: Sonya Deville has now issued a statement in regard to the alleged abduction attempt by a man who reportedly stalked her online. Deville posted to Twitter with the following:

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

UPDATE 2: Sonya Deville is fortunately safe following the alleged abduction attempt that took place at her home. Titus O’Neil, who like Deville lives in Hillsborough County, spoke with News Channel 8 and confirmed Deville’s safety.

“I have spoken to her and I’m glad she’s safe and I’m thankful and grateful that the sheriff’s office took care of the situation immediately,” O’Neil said. “Celebrity status aside this is sickening. I am a product of a sexual assault and have zero-tolerance or respect for any human being that would violate a person’s privacy and or personal space.”

UPDATE: The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office released the following information on the arrest of Phillip A. Thomas II and a booking photo of the suspect:

SCARY! This man, Phillip A. Thomas II, broke into a home in Lutz. He was carrying a knife, plastic zip ties, duct tape, and mace. Fortunately, the homeowner’s alarm went off and they were able to runaway and call 911. Deputies arrested Thomas, who was still inside the home, and through the investigation process learned he traveled from South Carolina to Lutz, specifically targeting this homeowner who he didn’t know, but stalked on social media for years.

Additionally, the press release from the office noted that detectives discovered that Thomas lives in South Carolina and traveled to Lutz, Florida to target the homeowner, allegedly Sonya Deville, in order to take her hostage.

ORIGINAL: The Tampa Bay Times reports that a man has been arrested on kidnapping charges after attempting to kidnap a Lutz, Florida homeowner. The home where the suspect, Phillip A. Thomas II, was arrested is owned by WWE Superstar Sonya Deville, aka Daria Berenato.

Per the Sheriff’sOffice, Thomas, age 24, had been planning the abduction for eight months and was stalking the victim on social media. He was found inside the home with a knife, plastic zip ties, duct tape, and mace. Investigators in the news release did not name Sonya Deville as the victim, but The Tampa Bay Times report noted Deville as the homeowner.

At midnight today, Thomas reportedly parked his car at the Idlewild Church near Dale Mabry Highway and Van Dyke Road. He then walked to a home on Pine Hammock Blvd in the Promenade at Lake Park. It’s stated that he cut a hole in the patio screen and remained on the patio for three to four hours while watching and listening through the windows. Then at 2:43 am, after the homeowner went to bed, Thomas was able to enter the premises through a glass door, which then set off the alarm.

At that point, the homeowner saw Thomas through the window on the property and left with a guest in the car. The homeowner then called 911. Thomas was found in the house when deputies arrived, where he was reportedly found with the aforementioned items.

Thomas, who was listed as an “Applebee’s crew member,” was later arrested and charged with aggravated stalking, armed burglary of a dwelling, attempted armed kidnapping, and criminal mischief. He is currently being held without bail.

According to a news release from the Sheriff’s department, Sheriff Chad Chronister commented, “Our deputies are unveiling the suspect’s disturbing obsession with this homeowner who he had never met, but stalked on social media for years. 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.”

On his Twitter account, Thomas appeared to mainly comment on Sonya Deville’s activities in WWE. On July 30, in response to one of her appearances at the GLAAD media awards, he wrote, “I’m so proud of you Daria you’re a inspiration to me.”

Earlier this month, Thomas appeared to comment, “But what if others think I’m not and I have no self confidence or self worth? I’m asking for your advice because I need a second opinion on something that could determine what happens next in my life.”

Sonya Deville is currently scheduled to face Mandy Rose in a Hair vs. Hair match on Sunday, August 22 at Summerslam 2020.