Sometimes we come across news that gives the impression that real life “Grand Theft Auto” characters walking among us. Take, for example, the lead singer of a punk band from LA, who went to the otherwise peaceful area of Yosemite National Park and supposedly spent the day destroying everything in a very unpunk way.
The LA Times reports that Anthony Mehlhaff – lead singer of a punk band called Cancer Christ – may have turned into the real Trevor from GTA V on August 21. According to local authorities, Mehlhaff began his Yosemite visit by harassing a pregnant waitress in a restaurant. From then on, according to the Just:
The frontman of a Los Angeles hardcore punk band called Cancer Christ is facing a slew of criminal charges after he allegedly went on a “terror trek” through Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas on Wednesday, local law enforcement authorities said.
According to Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese, 40-year-old Anthony Mehlhaff is said to have attacked a restaurant employee, sparked a chase with park rangers, caused a car accident, stolen a bicycle and then threatened workers at another lodge with a knife.
Mehlhaff then allegedly stripped down to his underwear, attempted to kidnap a store manager, stole his car and began ramming it into another vehicle on a local road, crashed again and was taken into custody before attacking officers during an examination at a local hospital, Briese wrote in a statement about the incident.
“This man drove all over our county terrorizing our visitors and community members,” said Briese. “I am extremely glad that no one was seriously injured. This man’s behavior was erratic and dangerous.”
Mariposa County Sheriffs arrested Mehlhaff and charged him with everything from car theft and robbery to kidnapping. He is being held on $100,000 bail. According to the JustIn social media posts, Mehlhaff refers to himself as “Saint Anthony,” while he and his band seem to see themselves as a religion and their fans as “parishioners.” This description of the band’s music on their own website honestly explains a lot:
“Spreading the gospel through their unique brand of reptilian power, Saint Anthony and The Snake People were sent from heaven on a holy mission to make all politicians, pedophiles and police officers suffer slowly,” the band’s website states.
That’s all well and good, but real punk rockers rail against the system. They don’t terrorize innocent people who are just going about their daily lives. It seems that Mehlhaff still has a lot to learn.
This story originally appeared on Monday, August 26, on our sister site Jalopnik.
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