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Man charged in lighter-fluid attack on former co-worker

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TBO.com

Published: May 4, 2009

Updated: 05/04/2009 12:42 pm

Sabbris Lee Watson

TAMPA - A 57-year-old Tampa man forced a woman into her apartment and poured lighter fluid on her, saying he would kill her because she was cheating on him, Tampa police say.

The two were co-workers and had never dated, police say.

Police arrested Sabbris Lee Watson at 5:28 a.m. today at 6909 Karin Court, Apartment D. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder, armed burglary, kidnapping and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.

Watson, of 1008 E. 24th Ave., remained in Orient Road Jail today. No bail has been set.

Police say Watson was waiting outside the woman's apartment this morning and that when she left her home to go to work, he grabbed her and pulled her into her apartment.

After pouring lighter fluid on her, he told her their relationship was over and that he was going to kill her because she cheated on him, a Tampa Police Department news release states. The woman tried fighting him and calling 911, but Watson broke her phone.

"A friend was sleeping in a back room of the victim's apartment and woke up to the noise," the release states. "He wrestled the suspect to the floor and held him for police."

The woman had considered Watson a friend. They worked together at a business that sells uniforms, police say. He was fired a month ago for threatening a co-worker after that person talked to the woman, police say.

When Watson was arrested, he had nunchucks, a lighter and zip ties in a bag, police say.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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