South Carolina Man Attempts Hostage Situation In Lutz: Police

LUTZ, FL — A South Carolina man was arrested on Sunday morning after he traveled to Lutz to take a homeowner that he stalked on social media hostage, a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office news release said.

Detectives say the suspect Phillip A. Thomas II, 24, had planned the hostage situation at a residence within the Promenade at Lake Park subdivision for more than eight months.

Thomas had never met the homeowner but stalked them for years on social media, police say.

On Sunday at 2:43 a.m., the suspect entered the residence after he cut a hole in the patio screen, authorities said.

He remained in the patio area for three to four hours as we watched the homeowner through the windows.

Police said after the victim went to bed, the home alarm activated after the suspect opened the sliding glass door to the house.

The homeowner saw Thomas on the property, and got away from him by leaving in their car.

Investigators say Thomas was still inside the residence when they arrived, and he had a knife, plastic zip ties, duct tape, mace and other personal items.

He told deputies he was planning to take the homeowner hostage, officials said.

"Our deputies are unveiling the suspect's disturbing obsession with this homeowner who he had never met, but stalked on social media for years," said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a news release. "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 faces charges of aggravated stalking, armed burglary of a dwelling, attempted armed kidnapping and criminal mischief.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200.