Employees at a Florida 7-Eleven were in for a nasty surprise during the late shift on Jan. 6. Around 10 p.m., 46-year-old Joshua Hunt stormed into the gas station to confront one of the employees. He allegedly chased the man around the store with a knife. Police say Hunt had already stolen a motorcycle from the same employee months earlier.

The Cocoa Beach Police Department explained, “The investigation revealed that a suspect allegedly entered the business and became involved in a physical altercation with a victim. During the incident, the suspect produced a knife and pursued the victim through the store, he then fled the area.”

Fox News Orlando reported that Hunt pulled out a knife he wore hanging around his neck. He chased the employee around the store and followed him behind the counter. At that point, another employee called 911.

Prior theft and probation violation

Police said, “Further investigation determined that Hunt was currently on probation and had an active Brevard County warrant for violation of probation.”

Fox News dug deeper. Court records show Hunt was arrested last June for stealing a motorcycle from the same 7-Eleven employee. He was convicted and sentenced to probation for that theft. The terms included a restraining order barring him from contact with the victim.

Investigators believe Hunt returned to the store despite that order. Whatever his motivation, the dispute belongs in court, not as a late-night knife fight at a 7-Eleven.

The following day, officers and detectives took Hunt into custody without incident. Authorities are holding him without bond. Violating probation and a restraining order significantly raises the stakes.