Taylor Swift’s Father Fought a Man Who Entered His $4 Million Penthouse
Taylor Swift is famous enough that anyone in her orbit is given some degree of media coverage. This is certainly true of her father, Scott Swift. Here’s what authorities say happened when a man entered Swift’s property and fought him.
Someone breaks into the home of Taylor Swift’s father
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Scott Swift owns a $4 million penthouse at Vinoy Place in St. Petersburg, Florida. Court records state Swift returned to his home shortly after the suspect, 30-year-old Terrence Hoover, climbed an emergency stairwell and entered the dwelling.
According to an arrest affidavit, the stairwell is typically locked unless the door isn’t fully closed. A security camera captured Hoover walking up these stairs just before 10 p.m. Jan. 17, the Tampa Bay Times reported. It is unknown whether Hoover targeted the home or was even aware of its connection to Swift.
NBC News reported that according to Hoover’s arrest warrant, “the homeowner, who was returning home, exited the key card access only elevator and saw [the] suspect. A struggle ensued between the homeowner and Hoover. Ultimately, Hoover fled the property on foot.” Hoover actually called police to report the encounter but wouldn’t return to the building.
Swift was able to identify Hoover for police from photos, and Hoover was located and arrested on Feb. 12, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He faces a burglary charge and is being held on $50,000 bail.
The suspect’s mother speaks out
The Tampa Bay Times called Hoover a “career criminal.” According to the newspaper, Hoover has previously been arrested on charges including “domestic violence by strangulation, aggravated battery, burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping and false imprisonment.”
Hoover’s mother, Donna DeNapoli, told the Tampa Bay Times that Hoover got lost while looking for his wife, specifically searching for “churches by the water where his wife could be staying.” Six months ago, Hoover’s wife left him and their three children. Since then, she has occasionally called DeNapoli to provide clues about the church where she is allegedly staying.
Hoover has gone across the state searching for his wife. According to DeNapoli, he was looking for churches in St. Petersburg hours before entering Swift’s home.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, DeNapoli said she was on the phone with her son when he entered Vinoy Place complex where Swift lives. The Tampa Bay Times could not reach Swift for comment on the case. The Independent reports Swift is safe following the altercation.
A celebrity who was in a similar situation
The Swift family are not the only celebrities to deal with break-ins. The BBC reports a man broke into Celine Dion’s home in Montreal, Canada, in 2011. He drew himself a warm bath and ate a pastry. The man made suicidal comments as he was taken into police custody. Dion was not home during the break-in. Like Swift, Dion was not harmed.
Also see: Wendy Williams: Taylor Swift Proves ‘Life in General’ Is Getting Worse
How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.
