Stuart man accused of road rage, marijuana possession

Suspect followed man 5 miles to mall, authorities say.

STUART — A 23-year-old man threatened another driver Saturday night as their vehicles traveled from Stuart to Jensen Beach and would not stop even after the other driver pointed a gun at him and told him to stay away, the Martin County Sheriff ’s Office said.

Edin Tomas Acierno of Stuart told the other driver that he would “kick his (expletive)” as two vehicles traveled more than 5 miles Saturday evening from Kanner Highway to Treasure Coast Square mall, an arrest report said. The threats continued in a parking lot until deputies intervened.

Acierno was charged with assault after deputies determined he was the aggressor. He also was charged with drug possession after deputies said they found about a gram of marijuana in his car, the report said. He was released from the Martin County Jail on Sunday after posting $750 bail.

According to the sheriff ’s office, the accuser, who lives in Port St. Lucie, said he was waiting at the traffic signal at Kanner Highway and Monterey Road at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday when he heard a commotion. The man said he saw a driver in a truck, later identified as Acierno, yelling at a man in another vehicle.

Acierno then looked at the accuser and started making threats, the report said. Both vehicles continued north on Kanner as Acierno pulled alongside, making hand gestures and shouting threats, according to deputies.

The vehicles continued north on Federal Highway over the Roosevelt Bridge. The accuser told deputies he was turning at the entrance to the mall when he saw Acierno’s gray Dodge Ram had turned in front of him. Acierno got out to confront him in the parking lot, deputies said. The accuser reportedly took out a .380-caliber Smith & Wesson and warned Acierno to stay away.

Acierno continued to approach, prompting the other man to drive away. He reportedly got back into his vehicle and followed the man through the mall parking lot, shouting obscenities, according to the report.

Deputies pulled the truck over outside a fast-food restaurant near the mall. Acierno reportedly told deputies the other driver had followed him and pulled a gun. He began to yell and make racial comments about the deputies, the report said.

Deputies searched his vehicle before it was towed and found a white bag containing marijuana. Acierno said the marijuana was his and he had forgotten he had left it in the door, the report said.