close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

Los Angeles punk band frontman accused of ‘terrorist rampage’ through Yosemite region
news

Los Angeles punk band frontman accused of ‘terrorist rampage’ through Yosemite region

Mariposa County Sheriff's Office - Anthony Mehlhaff, 40 years old from Los Angeles, CA, is arrested after a series of events that terrorized people in and around Yosemite National Park.

Anthony Mehlhaff, 40, is arrested after a series of events that terrorized people in and around Yosemite National Park. (Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office)

The frontman of Los Angeles hardcore punk band Cancer Christ is facing a series of criminal charges after allegedly going on a “terrorist trek” through Yosemite National Park and the surrounding area on Wednesday, local police said.

According to Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese, Anthony Mehlhaff, 40, allegedly assaulted a restaurant employee, led park rangers on a chase, caused a car crash, stole a bicycle and then threatened employees of another lodge with a knife.

Mehlhaff then allegedly stripped down to his underwear, attempted to kidnap a store manager, stole the manager’s car and crashed it into another vehicle on a local road. He crashed again and was arrested. He then assaulted officers during an investigation at a local hospital, Briese wrote in an affidavit about the incident.

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

Registration records show Mehlhaff is facing charges of vandalism, grand theft auto, reckless driving, kidnapping, theft, first-degree burglary, robbery, obstructing an officer and assault.

Photo of Anthony Mehlhaff captured by the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office.Photo of Anthony Mehlhaff captured by the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office.

Photo of Anthony Mehlhaff captured by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. (Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office)

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

Representatives for the band’s tour did not respond to a request for comment Saturday. Online court records also did not indicate that an attorney had been appointed for Mehlhaff.

Mehlhaff had been posting bizarre videos on his social media before his arrest, with some commenters expressing concern for his well-being and mental health. Odd social media behavior has also long been part of Mehlhaff’s gimmick as a hardcore punk musician.

Cancer Christ blends Christian, Satanic and other “reptilian” imagery in a deliberate and bizarre manner, with members sometimes wearing snake masks over religious robes.

Mehlhaff calls himself “Saint Anthony” and routinely professes a sincere religious faith, while the band’s website — now private — talks about it as if it were a church and its fans, congregants. But the gimmick was steeped in religious mockery.

Mehlhaff condemned Christians and organized religions for spewing hate, saying he represented love. Recent Cancer Christ albums are titled “Satan is a B—” and “God is Violence” — the latter featuring a cover of Jesus killing himself with a shotgun and a single track titled “God Hates Cops.”

“Saint Anthony and The Snake People spread the gospel through their unique brand of Reptilian Power Violence. They have been sent from heaven on a holy mission to slowly make all politicians, pedophiles and police officers suffer,” the band’s website reads.

Briese said Mehlhaff’s “hike” began around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday in the Buck Meadows area of ​​Mariposa County, when Mehlhaff allegedly approached a pregnant waitress, touched her stomach and said, “The spirits led me to you and your baby is mine” — before asking her when her break started so he could “wait” for her.

“Mehlhaff then stole several drinks, assaulted another restaurant employee, and drove off in his car toward Yosemite National Park,” Briese wrote.

Mehlhaff allegedly caused trouble at Fish Camp and the Tenaya Lodge Clubhouse before he was arrested just outside the town of Oakhurst, Briese wrote. A smoke grenade was found in his vehicle, Briese said.

Sign up for Essential California and receive news, features and recommendations from the LA Times and other sources in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.