Anthony Mehlhaff, frontman of hardcore band Cancer Christ, has been arrested after apparently engaging in a series of bizarre and dangerous acts surrounding Yosemite National Park.
Mehlhaff, 40, was detained Wednesday (August 21st) and faces charges of vandalism, vehicle theft, reckless driving, kidnapping, theft, first-degree burglary, robbery, obstructing an officer and battery.
The episode allegedly started at a nearby restaurant Buck Meadows area of Mariposa County when Mehlhaff approached a pregnant waitress and touched her belly, saying, “The spirits led me to you and your baby belongs to me.” He then asked her when her break was, 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,” wrote Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese [via Los Angeles Times].
According to Briese, Mehlhaff stripped to his underwear before attempting to kidnap a store manager. Then he stole the manager’s car and rammed it into another vehicle on a local road, crashed again and was taken into custody just outside the town of Oakhurst. Lastly, during an assessment at a local hospital, Mehlhaff assaulted deputies.
“This man drove all around our county terrorizing our visitors and community members,” Briese said in a statement. “I am extremely happy that no one was seriously injured. This man’s behavior was erratic and dangerous.”
Mehlhaff was being held on $100,000 bail as of Friday (August 23rd) and could not be reached for comment by the Los Angeles Times, though a recorded message on his voicemail told law enforcement and mental health specialists to stop trying to contact him and “fuck off.”
The episode comes after Mehlhaff alarmed fans with bizarre social media posts as of late. His band, Cancer Christ — a hardcore group that parodies Christianity — was supposed to open for GWAR during a run of September dates, but were replaced on the bill, possibly due to Mehlhaff’s behavior.
Among the posts on Cancer Christ’s Instagram was a photo of “FUCK GWAR” tattoo that Mehlhaff apparently got, leading one GWAR fan to create a Reddit post titled “What the fuck is going on with the singer of Cancer Christ.” Many of the comments expressed concern for Mehlhaff’s well-being and mental health, citing his recent online behavior.
Cancer Christ guitarist Tommy Meehan joined GWAR’s touring lineup earlier this year as Grodius Maximus, replacing Brent Purgason (aka Pustulus Maximus) who exited the band late last year. In addition to the aforementioned September shows, GWAR will also embark on their fall “Stoned Age” tour, which will feature support from Dark Funeral, Squid Pissers, and Cancer Bats (not to be confused with Cancer Christ). Pick up tickets here.
Watch a local news report on Anthony Mehlhaff’s arrest below.
