Court records: Man accused of trying to set wife ablaze in Carrollwood had ether in the car

TAMPA

Deputies found ether after attack

A Wesley Chapel man accused of trying to set his wife ablaze, but badly burning himself instead, dropped a steak knife and an ax handle as he chased her outside her apartment earlier this month, records released Tuesday show.

After Hillsborough County deputies responded to the Feb. 6 incident at the Countrywood Apartments in Carrollwood, they said they found a gas canister and duct tape in the car that the man, Matthew Wong, 50, was driving. A search warrant affidavit filed Tuesday shows they also found a bottle of ether.

Deputies said Wong, who is estranged from his wife, Gloria Davis, sought to ambush her.

But he burned himself as he chased her and spilled gas.