Police: ExpressJet pilot accused of stalking American Airlines flight attendant in Tempe, Arizona

PHOENIX - An airline pilot is accused of stalking a flight attendant and pepper spraying her inside her car in Tempe.

 John Phillip Rovenstine, a pilot for ExpressJet Airlines, followed the victim, a flight attendant for American Airlines, from an employee parking lot at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to a home in Tempe on March 30, according to court documents.

He then allegedly used pepper spray on the victim and began searching for her car keys in an "apparent effort to start the vehicle and leave with her," documents said.

The victim yelled for help and later told police the pilot tried to silence her screams by placing his hand over her mouth. A neighbor heard the woman's screams and stepped in to help, according to documents.

Records say the woman told police she feared that the man planned to rape or kill her

Rovenstine fled the area before police arrived, according to documents, but later contacted police to "give his side of the story." He told police he wanted to take the woman somewhere private, but did not intent to hurt her.

He was arrested and later charged with stalking, unlawful imprisonment, and assault.

Paperwork indicates that Rovenstine is from Texas and met the victim through a former roommate. He reportedly told the victim via social media that he "sees her as a great potential wife."

ExpressJet declined to comment on whether or not the pilot was still able to fly with the airline, citing company policy against discussing personnel issues.

Calls to a recorded jail hotline indicated that the pilot had been released.

The pilot's next scheduled court date is April 7.