Man arrested after terrorist attack on Trek

Mountain communities–According to the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office: It all started around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday afternoon in the Buck Meadows area of ​​Mariposa County on Highway 120. 40-year-old Anthony Mehlhaff of Los Angeles, California, approached a pregnant waitress at a local restaurant. He reached out, touched her belly and reportedly said, “The spirits led me to you and your baby is mine. And when is your break, because I will be waiting for you.”

The terror continued

Mehlhaff then stole several drinks, assaulted another restaurant employee, and sped away in his vehicle. He was en route to Yosemite National Park at the time. At 3 p.m., the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office received several calls reporting a possible chase, kidnapping, assault, stolen vehicles, and other suspicious circumstances, all of which occurred near Fish Camp.

Photo by Anthony Mehlhaff courtesy of Mariposa County Sheriff's Office.

Yosemite National Park rangers attempted to stop Mehlhaff on Highway 41 within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park. Mehlhaff continued to the Fish Camp area, where he crashed his vehicle and stole a bicycle, but not before allegedly removing his shirt, giving it to a passerby and saying

you're going to want to keep this, I'm going to be famous.”

The trek continues to Tenaya Lodge

Mehlhaff then entered the Tenaya Lodge kitchen through a back door, placed his hat and other items in a refrigerator, grabbed a knife from the kitchen, and began threatening workers. Mehlhaff left the lodge kitchen and walked to a creek near the Tenya Lodge clubhouse, where he dropped his pants, wallet, and car keys. He then entered the clubhouse wearing only his underwear and told customers to leave or they would be in danger.

Mehlhaff then began to vandalize the clubhouse. He then took the store manager's car keys and attempted to kidnap him while assaulting him. He also attempted to force him to drive Mehlhaff out of the area. The store manager was able to break free from Mehlhaff's grasp.

Aggression in road traffic occurs

Mehlhaff stole the store manager's vehicle and continued driving on Highway 41 toward Oakhurst. While driving on Highway 41, Mehlhaff encountered a Tesla and displayed extreme aggression by tailgating the Tesla and making aggressive hand gestures. Eventually, Mehlhaff began ramming the Tesla. Mariposa County Sheriff's officers in the area found both vehicles and attempted to stop Mehlhaff.

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

During a search of Mehlhaff's registered vehicle, an Enola Gay smoke grenade was found in the door panel. The Merced Bomb Disposal Squad was called to disarm the device.

A joint effort

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

“This man drove throughout our county terrorizing our visitors and community members. I am extremely glad that no one was seriously injured, this man's behavior was erratic and dangerous.” – Sheriff Jeremy Briese.

Sheriff Briese continued, “This is just a small glimpse of what we encounter at any given time. I am proud of the work of our staff and the partnerships we have built that allow us to apprehend criminals who continue to harm our communities.”