front man for a hardcore Los Angeles punk band named Cancer Christ goes on violent rampage across 2 counties

The front man for a hardcore Los Angeles punk band named Cancer Christ faces a slate of criminal charges after allegedly going on a “terrorizing trek” through Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas Wednesday, according to local law enforcement.

Anthony Mehlhaff, 40, allegedly assaulted a restaurant employee, led park rangers on a car chase, crashed the car, stole a bicycle and then threatened workers at another lodge with a knife, according to Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese.

Then, Mehlhaff allegedly stripped to his underwear, attempted to kidnap a store manager, stole that manager’s car and started ramming it into another vehicle on a local road, crashed again and was taken into custody before assaulting deputies during an assessment at a local hospital, Briese wrote in a statement about the incident.

“This man drove all around our county terrorizing our visitors and community members,” Briese said. “I am extremely happy that no one was seriously injured. This man’s behavior was erratic and dangerous.”

Booking records showed Mehlhaff faces charges of vandalism, vehicle theft, reckless driving, kidnapping, theft, first-degree burglary, robbery, obstructing an officer and battery.


Mehlhaff — who Briese said was being held on $100,000 bail on Friday — could not be reached for comment. In a recorded message on his voicemail, he asked law enforcement and mental health specialists to “f— off” and stop trying to contact him.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-24/los-angeles-man-accused-of-terrorizing-trek-through-yosemite-region

Violent, bizarre rampage across 2 counties in Central California ends in arrest of undressed LA man
"The spirits led me to you and your baby belongs to me," the suspect allegedly told a pregnant employee at a restaurant.

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The Mariposa County Sheriff's Office said the crime spree started on Wednesday when 40-year-old Anthony Mehlhaff went to a restaurant in the Buck Meadows area. Mehlhaff allegedly approached a pregnant employee and told her, "The spirits led me to you and your baby belongs to me, and what time is your break because I will be waiting for you."

In a news release, authorities said Mehlhaff then stole multiple drinks, assaulted another employee and fled in his car heading toward Yosemite National Park.

Park rangers tried stopping Mehlhaff on Highway 41 inside park boundaries, but authorities said he crashed his car near Fish Camp and stole a bike.

Mehlhaff is accused of entering the Tenaya Lodge, grabbing a knife and threatening employees. He then is said to have gone to a nearby creek and took off his pants.


"Mehlhaff made his way out of the lodge kitchen and walked to a creek area near the Tenya Lodge Clubhouse, where he removed his pants, wallet and car keys," the news release said. "He then entered the Clubhouse in only his underwear, told the customers to leave or they would be in danger."

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Mehlhaff eventually crashed the stolen vehicle and was taken into custody, authorities said.

"While being medically cleared at a local hospital, Mehlhaff began assaulting Mariposa County Sheriff's Deputies," the sheriff's statement said.


He was booked into the Mariposa County Jail and was being held on $100,000 bail.

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California punk band frontman Anthony Mehlhaff accused of ‘terrorizing’ workers, tourists around Yosemite park: ‘Your baby belongs to me’

Mehlhaff eventually crashed his car near the Fish Camp area, took his shirt off and handed it to a witness to the wreck.

“You’ll want to keep this, I’m going to be famous,” Mehlhaff said.

While clearing the car, police discovered an Enola Gay smoke grenade.

Mehlhaff then stole a bicycle where he ventured to the nearby Tenaya Lodge, entering through the kitchen’s back door, placing his hat and other items in a refrigerator before grabbing a knife and threatening the workers.


Mehlhaff then stripped down to his underwear and told customers to leave or they’d be in danger.

Mehlhaff allegedly assaulted and attempted to “kidnap” the manager before the madman stole his car.

Driving back on Highway 41, Mehlhaff encountered a Tesla where he began extreme road rage behavior, tailgating the Tesla while making aggressive hand gestures before ramming into the car.

https://nypost.com/2024/08/25/us-news/california-punk-rock-frontman-anthony-mehlhaff-accused-of-terrorizing-workers-tourists-around-yosemite-park/