Sheriff: Man arrested after 'terrorizing hike' that included Yosemite

A 40-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested in his underwear this week after committing a crime spree in Yosemite National Park and other locations in two counties, the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office said Friday.

Anthony Mehlhaff's “terrorizing trek” included several assaults, an attempted kidnapping, bicycle and car thefts, and extreme aggression in traffic, the sheriff's office said.

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

The wild behavior began around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday at a restaurant in the Bucks Meadows area of ​​Mariposa County near Highway 120. Mehlhaff is accused of touching a pregnant waitress's stomach and telling her, “Your baby is mine.”

He then stole several drinks before attacking an employee and speeding off toward Yosemite National Park, according to the sheriff's office.

Yosemite National Park rangers attempted to stop Mehlhaff's vehicle on Highway 41, but he made it to the Fish Camp area. After crashing his vehicle, Mehlhaff took off his shirt and gave it to a passerby, saying he was “going to be famous,” the sheriff's office said. Officers later found a smoke grenade in Mehlhaff's door panel.

Mehlhaff subsequently stole a bicycle and then entered the Tenaya Lodge kitchen through a back door. He put his hat and other items in a refrigerator, grabbed a knife and began threatening the workers, according to the sheriff's office. After removing his pants at a creek, he entered the Tenya Lodge clubhouse and began vandalizing it and threatening the people inside.

He then attacked the store manager and tried to kidnap him, the sheriff's office said. The store manager was able to escape, but Mehlhaff stole his car and drove away, the sheriff's office said.

While driving on Highway 41, Mehlhaff began to tailgate Tesla and then rammed it, according to the sheriff's office.

Mehlhaff crashed his stolen vehicle outside of Oakhurst in Madera County while being pursued by Mariposa County Sheriff's officers, but the alleged violence didn't end there.

While receiving medical evaluation at a hospital, Mehlhaff attacked Mariposa County sheriff's deputies, the sheriff's office said.

He was taken to the Mariposa County Jail and bail was set at $100,000.

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