Two Men Arrested After Violent Battery of 61‑Year‑Old Man at Hobe Sound Gas Station
HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA — Two men have been arrested after a brutal attack on a 61‑year‑old man at the Cumberland Farms gas station on Federal Highway Friday afternoon. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrests following a violent confrontation that began with a traffic dispute.
Incident Briefed: What Led to the Attack
The victim, accompanied by his wife and grandchildren while towing a large pontoon boat, honked at a truck blocking the fuel pump line. A verbal altercation quickly escalated when the truck’s driver, later identified as 49‑year‑old Shane Thomas Blois of Hobe Sound, exited his vehicle and attacked the man with a rubber mallet, striking him multiple times.
Not long afterward, his brother, Erick R. Blois, arrived and joined the assault, further battering the victim before both brothers fled the scene separately.
Rapid Response and Arrests
Multiple bystanders recorded tag numbers and shared crucial information with deputies, enabling law enforcement to rapidly track down the suspects. Shane Blois was found hiding inside his home off Parkway Drive in Hobe Sound. The arrest involved a coordinated effort from the Criminal Investigations Division, K‑9 Unit, Aviation Unit, and Drone Team, and concluded after a three‑hour standoff.
Erick Blois was arrested shortly thereafter during a traffic stop conducted with Juno Beach Police Department cooperation.
Victim Treated for Multiple Injuries
The victim was rushed to the hospital with numerous injuries consistent with a violent mallet attack. Authorities have not disclosed his current condition but confirmed he survived the incident.
Charges Filed
- Shane Thomas Blois: Charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon; booked into Martin County Jail.
- Erick R. Blois: Charged with battery; taken into custody following the traffic stop.
Sheriff’s Message on Public Safety
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the dangers of escalated road-rage incidents and urged residents to use restraint in confrontational situations. Witnesses play a vital role in justice—providing timely and accurate information can lead to swift arrests.
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