Cancer Christ Vocalist Anthony Mehlhaff Facing Kid…

Anthony Mehlhaff, vocalist for Los Angeles, CA-based hardcore punk band Cancer Christ, was arrested last Wednesday, August 21st, for a bizarre string of incidents that transpired around Yosemite National Park.

Per a report filed by the Los Angeles Times, Mehlhaff, who also goes by the name of ‘Saint Anthony” as part of the band’s ‘reptilian power violence’ gimmick, began his chaotic venture in Mariposa County.

According to Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese, the 40-year-old Mehlhaff touched the belly of a pregnant waitress at a local eating establishment and told her, “The spirits led me to you and your baby belongs to me.” He is said to have then asked when she would be on break and told her he would “be waiting” for her.

His comments likely didn’t sit well, with his time at the restaurant ending in several stolen drinks and the assault of another employee working there. Following that incident, he is said to have fled to Yosemite National Park, causing trouble for numerous attendees and local law officials.

His incident at the restaurant led to a car chase, which resulted in Mehlhaff crashing said vehicle. Following that, Mehlhaff is said to have stolen a bicycle, threatened workers at a lodge with a knife, stripped to his underwear, attempted to kidnap a store manager, and then stole said manager’s car.

Following that, he is said to have rammed the stolen vehicle into another vehicle on the road, crashed said stolen vehicle, and ultimately was taken into custody. However, his spree did not end there, as he was said to have also assaulted deputies during an assessment at a local hospital after being taken into custody. As of last Friday, August 23rd, he was being held on $100,000 bail.

He faces charges of vandalism, vehicle theft, reckless driving, kidnapping, theft, first-degree burglary, robbery, obstructing an officer and battery. As Los Angeles Times note, Mehlhaff updated his voicemail, leaving a message told asked law enforcement and mental health officials attempting to contact him to “f*ck off”.

Update: August 26th, 2024 11:50am:

A full report on the incident as shared by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office reads as follows:

“It all started Wednesday afternoon around 1:45pm in the Buck Meadows area of Mariposa County on Hwy 120. Anthony Mehlhaff 40 years old from Los Angeles, CA walked up to a pregnant waitress in a local restaurant. He reached out and touched her stomach and reportedly said “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.”

Mehlhaff then stole several drinks, assaulted another employee of the restaurant and sped off in his vehicle towards Yosemite National Park. At 3pm multiple calls began coming in to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office Emergency 911 center. Reports of a possible car chase, kidnapping, assault, stolen vehicles, and other suspicious circumstances all occurring near Fish Camp.

Yosemite National Park rangers attempted to stop Mehlhaff on Hwy 41 inside the Yosemite National Park boundaries. Mehlhaff continued to the Fish Camp area where he crashed his vehicle and stole a bicycle, but not before he reportedly took off his shirt handed it to a bystander and said “you’ll want to keep this, I’m going to be famous”.

Mehlhaff then entered the Tenaya Lodge kitchen through a back door, placed his hat and other items inside a refrigerator, grabbed a knife from the kitchen and began threatening workers.

Mehlhaff made his way out of the lodge kitchen and walked to a creek area near the Tenaya Lodge Clubhouse, where he removed his pants, wallet and car keys. He then entered the Clubhouse in only his underwear, told the customers to leave or they would be in danger. Mehlhaff then began vandalizing the Clubhouse. He then took the store managers car keys and attempted to kidnap the store manager while assaulting him and attempting to force him to drive Mehlhaff out of the area. The store manager was able to get out of Mehlhaff’s grasp.

Mehlhaff stole the store manager’s vehicle and continued driving on Hwy 41 towards Oakhurst. While driving on Hwy 41 Mehlhaff encountered a Tesla and began extreme road rage behavior, tailgating the Tesla while making aggressive hand gestures. Mehlhaff eventually began ramming the Tesla. Mariposa County Sheriff’s Deputies in the area located both vehicles and attempted to stop Mehlhaff.

Mehlhaff eventually crashed the stolen vehicle on Hwy 41 just outside of the town of Oakhurst. Mehlhaff was taken into custody. While being medically cleared at a local hospital, Mehlhaff began assaulting Mariposa County Sheriff’s Deputies. He was eventually booked in to the Mariposa County Jail and is being held on $100,000 bail.

While searching Mehlhaff’s vehicle registered to him, an Enola Gay smoke grenade was located inside the door panel. The Merced Bomb Squad was called in to handle the device.

The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Yosemite National Park Service, Oakhurst California Highway Patrol, the Merced Bomb Squad and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this case.

“This man drove all around our county terrorizing our visitors and community members. I am extremely happy that no one was seriously injured, this man’s behavior was erratic and dangerous. This is just a glimpse of what we encounter at any given time. I am proud of the work done by our staff and partnerships built that give us the ability to apprehend criminals who continue to harm our communities.” – Sheriff Jeremy Briese.

***Just a Friendly Reminder*** the Sheriff’s office does not determine bail amounts. They are set by the Judicial Council of California.”

Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office