The lead singer of hardcore punk band Cancer Christ was arrested in his underwear after “terrorizing” park visitors during a rampage through Yosemite.
Anthony Mehlhaff, 40, committed a chaotic series of crimes that included an assault, an attempted kidnapping and a robbery. He then led police on a wild chase in a stolen vehicle, after which the shirtless vandal was handcuffed Wednesday afternoon.
His trail of destruction began around 1:45 p.m. when he allegedly attacked a pregnant waitress by touching her stomach and telling her, “It’sThe spirits have led me to you and your baby is mine, and what time is your break, ’cause I’ll be waiting for you.’
After stealing some drinks, he attacked another restaurant employee and drove off in his vehicle toward Yosemite National Park. Several people called 911 to report the suspect.
Yosemite Park rangers attempted to stop Mehlhaff, but he continued his path of terror into Merced and Mariposa counties.
Anthony Mehlhaff was arrested at the Mariposa County Jail and is being held on $100,000 bail
Anthony Mehlhaff, 40,’s chaotic crime spree included an assault, attempted kidnapping and a robbery before he led police on a wild chase in a stolen vehicle
The rampaging rocker crashed his vehicle, stole a bicycle and reportedly ripped off his shirt and gave it to a bystander, telling them, “You want to keep this, I’m gonna be famous,” according to Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office.
During his erratic behavior, he threw beer cans out of the car window.
At one point, he entered the Tenaya Lodge kitchen through the back door, placed his hat and other belongings in the refrigerator, grabbed a knife from the kitchen and began threatening several employees.
He then walked to a nearby creek at the Tenya Lodge Clubhouse and took off his clothes, taking away his pants, wallet and car keys.
The punk musician, who calls himself “St. Anthony,” entered the club in his underwear and told patrons to leave or they would be in danger.
Mehlhaff then began destroying the clubhouse.
Los Angeles’ Mehlhaff is the favorite for the punk band ‘The Church of Cancer Crist’
According to an official, he attacked the store manager, took his car keys and tried to kidnap him. He then had to drive him out of the neighborhood, but the store manager was able to escape from him.
Mehlhaff drove away in the victim’s vehicle and headed down Hwy 41 toward Oakhurst. It was there that he encountered a Tesla and began to exhibit extremely aggressive behavior on the road, following the Tesla too closely and making aggressive hand gestures.
According to police, Mehlhaff began driving his vehicle into the Tesla before Mariposa County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to intervene.
He was arrested after crashing his stolen vehicle on Highway 41 just outside the town of Oakhurst.
While being medically cleared at a local hospital, he began attacking Mariposa County Sheriff’s deputies.
He was eventually booked into the Mariposa County Jail and is currently being held on $100,000 bail.
When Mehlhaff’s vehicle, which was registered to him, was searched, an Enola Gay smoke grenade was found in the door panel.
The Merced Bomb Squad was called in to disarm the explosive device.
The punk musician calls himself ‘St. Anthony’
Mehlhaff is charged with vandalism, theft of a vehicle, reckless driving, kidnapping, theft, first-degree burglary, robbery, obstructing an officer and assault, according to The Los Angeles Times.
The news of his arrest brought peace of mind to many people in the community and surrounding areas.
Someone wrote: ‘He also terrorized Groveland for days!! Multiple reports were made to Tuolumne County Sheriff’s but they were unable to catch him. Thank goodness you guys caught him. He was becoming dangerous.’
“I wonder how many times this man was released when he was clearly dangerous,” someone else added.
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office thanked their partners – Yosemite National Park Service, Oakhurst California Highway Patrol, the Merced Bomb Squad and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office – for their assistance in this case.
“This man drove throughout our county terrorizing our visitors and community members. I am extremely thankful that no one was seriously injured, this man’s behavior was erratic and dangerous,” said Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese.
“This is just a glimpse of what we face at any given time. I am proud of the work our officers have done and the partnerships we have built, which allows us to catch criminals who continue to harm our communities.”