Man arrested for attempted armed kidnapping at Sonya Deville's home

The Tampa Bay Times has just confirmed a report we received from a neighbor of Daria Berenato, better known as Sonya Deville, about a sick fan who stalked her on social media breaking into her home in the Tampa area.

The newspaper reported that the home in question in the area was owned by Berenato.

The story stated that Phillip A. Thomas II, 24, came from South Carolina and had spent eight months plotting to kidnap a Lutz, FL homeowner he had never met but had stalked on social media for years.

Thomas II was charged with aggravated stalking, armed burglary of a dwelling, attempted armed kidnapping, and criminal mischief and was held without bail.

Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release “It’s frightening to think of all the way this incident could have played out had the home alarm not gone off and alerted the homeowner of an intruder.”

Thomas’ social media accounts showed mostly comments related to Sonya Deville, constantly writing positive messages and defending her.

A neighbor of Berenato alerted us this morning that someone had tried to break into her home and kidnap her.

The story stated that Thomas parked his car around midnight and walked to the home owned by Berenato. He then is alleged to have cut a hole into the patio screen and remained there for three to four hours while watching and listening through the window. The belief is that Berenato and a friend at the time were watching the UFC fights.

At 2:43 a.m, after Berenato had gone to bed, Thomas entered her home through a sliding glass door, which activated her alarm. Berenato spotted Thomas and fled with a guest in a car and called 911.

Thomas was in the house when police arrived. They found him carrying a knife, plastic zip ties, duct tape, mace and other items and told police he was planning to take the homeowner hostage.