According to local law officials, the frontman for the hardcore Los Angeles punk band Cancer Christ is facing a slew of criminal charges after reportedly going on a “terrorizing trek” around Yosemite National Park and neighboring regions on Wednesday.
Anthony Mehlhaff, 40, allegedly assaulted a restaurant employee, led park authorities on a car chase, crashed the vehicle, stole a bicycle, and threatened staff at another lodge with a knife, according to Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese.
Then, Mehlhaff allegedly stripped down to his underwear, attempted to kidnap a store manager, stole that manager’s car and began ramming it into another vehicle on a local road, crashed again, and was arrested before assaulting deputies during an assessment at a local hospital, according to Briese.
“This man drove all around our county terrorizing our visitors and community members,” Briese told me. “I’m incredibly relieved that no one was gravely hurt. “This man’s behavior was unpredictable and dangerous.”
According to booking documents, Mehlhaff faces accusations including vandalism, vehicle theft, reckless driving, kidnapping, theft, first-degree burglary, robbery, impeding an officer, and violence.
Mehlhaff, who Briese reported was being jailed on $100,000 bond on Friday, could not be reached for comment. In a recorded message on his voicemail, he told law enforcement and mental health professionals to “f— off” and stop contacting him.
The band’s tour representatives did not respond to a request for comment on Saturday, and no attorney was named for Mehlhaff in online court records.
Prior to his arrest, Mehlhaff had been posting weird films on social media, with some people expressing concern for his well-being and mental health in the comments. Mehlhaff’s act as a hardcore punk artist has always included unusual behavior on social media.
Cancer Christ purposely and outlandishly combines Christian, satanic, and other “reptilian” images, with members occasionally wearing snake masks atop holy robes.
Mehlhaff refers to himself as “Saint Anthony” and often professes true religious belief, but the band’s website, which has since been kept private, discussed it as if it were a church with its fans as congregants. However, the gimmick was steeped in religious satire.
Mehlhaff criticized Christians and organized religion for spreading hatred, claiming to symbolize love. Recent Cancer Christ albums have been titled “Satan is a B—” and “God is Violence” — the latter including cover art showing Jesus murdering himself with a shotgun and a single tune titled “God Hates Cops.”
“Spreading the gospel through their unique brand of Reptilian Power Violence, Saint Anthony and The Snake People have been sent down from Heaven on a holy mission to make all politicians, pedophiles, and police officers suffer slowly,” according to the band’s website.
According to Briese, Mehlhaff’s “trek” began around 1:45 p.m. in Mariposa County’s Buck Meadows. On Wednesday, Mehlhaff allegedly approached a pregnant waitress, stroked her belly, and stated, “The spirits led me to you and your baby belongs to me” — before asking her when her break began so that he could “be waiting” for her.
“Mehlhaff then stole several drinks, assaulted another employee of the restaurant and sped off in his vehicle towards Yosemite National Park,” according to Briese.
According to Briese, Mehlhaff allegedly made trouble at Fish Camp and the Tenaya Lodge Clubhouse before being arrested just outside of Oakhurst. Briese said that a smoke grenade was found in his vehicle.
