Sometimes we come across messages that give the impression that if they exist, real life “Grand theft“uto” characters walking among us. Take the lead singer of an L.A. punk band who went to a peaceful region of Yosemite National Park and supposedly spent the day smashing things in a completely unpunky way.
This Los Angeles Times reports that Anthony Mehlhaff — the lead singer of a punk band called Cancer Christ — may have transformed into the real Trevor from GTA V on August 21. According to local authorities, Mehlhaff began his visit to Yosemite by harassing a pregnant waitress at a restaurant. It only got worse from there, according to Times:
The frontman of a Los Angeles hardcore punk band called Cancer Christ is facing a series of criminal charges after he allegedly went on a “terrorist trek” through Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas on Wednesday, according to local law enforcement.
According to Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese, 40-year-old Anthony Mehlhaff allegedly attacked a restaurant employee, forced park rangers on a car chase, crashed his car, stole a bicycle and then threatened employees at another recreation center with a knife.
Mehlhaff then allegedly stripped down to his underwear, attempted to kidnap the store manager, stole his car and proceeded to crash it into another vehicle on a local roadway, crashed again and was taken into custody, then attacked officers while being evaluated at a local hospital, Briese wrote in a statement about the incident.
“This man drove throughout our county terrorizing our guests and community members,” Briese said. “I am so happy that no one was seriously injured. This man’s behavior was unpredictable and dangerous.”
Mariposa County sheriffs arrested Mehlhaff and charged him with everything from vehicle theft and robbery to kidnapping. He is being held on $100,000 bail. According to TimesIn social media posts, Mehlhaff refers to himself as “Saint Anthony,” while he and his band seem to view themselves as a religion and their fans as “congregants.” This description of the band’s music from their own website honestly explains a lot:
“Preaching the gospel with their unique style of Reptilian Power Violence, Saint Anthony and The Snake People have been sent from Heaven with a holy mission to make all politicians, pedophiles and police suffer slowly,” the band’s website reads.
While that’s all well and good, true punks are angry at the system. They don’t terrorize innocent people who are just living their lives. It seems Mehlhaff has a lot to learn.
This article originally appeared on Monday, August 26 on Jalopnik, our sister site.
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