TWO MEN ARRESTED AFTER VIOLENT BATTERY OF 61-YEAR-OLD MAN AT HOBE SOUND GAS STATION
HOBE SOUND, Fla. — A disturbing case of road rage escalated into a violent assault Friday afternoon at a Cumberland Farms gas station in Hobe Sound, leading to the arrest of two brothers. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that 49-year-old Shane Thomas Blois and his brother Erick R. Blois have been taken into custody following the brutal battery of a 61-year-old man, who was attacked in front of his wife and grandchildren.
A Minor Dispute Turns Violent
The incident unfolded at the Cumberland Farms location on Federal Highway when the victim, who was towing a large pontoon boat and traveling with his family, honked at a pickup truck that had been blocking the fuel line for an extended period. What should have been a routine moment of frustration quickly spiraled into a harrowing ordeal.
According to deputies, the honk prompted an aggressive reaction. Shane Thomas Blois exited his vehicle and, after a heated verbal exchange, began physically attacking the elderly man. In a shocking escalation, Blois retrieved a rubber mallet and proceeded to beat the victim repeatedly across his body.
Witnesses on the scene were horrified as the 61-year-old man was struck numerous times while his terrified family looked on. Moments later, Blois’ brother, Erick R. Blois, arrived in a separate vehicle and joined in the assault, further injuring the victim.
Swift Action by Law Enforcement
Following the assault, both men fled the scene in separate vehicles. However, several eyewitnesses were quick to act, capturing vehicle tag information and sharing it with authorities. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office quickly mobilized a response.
Deputies were able to trace Shane Blois to his home located off Parkway Drive in Hobe Sound. What followed was a three-hour standoff, during which the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, K-9 Unit, Aviation Unit, and Drone Team worked together to contain the suspect and search the area. Eventually, Shane Blois was found hiding inside the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.
Meanwhile, Erick R. Blois was apprehended during a coordinated traffic stop conducted with assistance from the Juno Beach Police Department.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
As a result of the investigation and arrests:
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Shane Thomas Blois has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and booked into the Martin County Jail.
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Erick R. Blois is facing a charge of battery, with authorities indicating that additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
Victim Hospitalized, Community Outraged
The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of multiple injuries sustained in the beating. His current condition has not been publicly released, but officials have described the injuries as significant. The family—particularly the victim’s grandchildren—were left deeply shaken by the violent event.
Local residents and social media users have expressed outrage and disbelief at the senselessness of the attack. Many have called for stiff penalties and praised the swift action of law enforcement in capturing the suspects before they could evade justice.
Ongoing Investigation
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the gas station, conducting witness interviews, and preparing the case for prosecution. Officials are also urging anyone who may have additional information about the incident to come forward.
“This was a brutal and unnecessary act of violence that could have ended even more tragically,” a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said. “We are thankful for the witnesses who came forward and the rapid coordination among our law enforcement partners that led to these arrests.”
As the legal process unfolds, the community stands in solidarity with the victim and his family, hoping for justice and accountability in the wake of such a traumatic event.
Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
