Sandro Anaya was wanted by Revere Police for Armed Robbery and Impersonating a police officer. PHOTO CREDIT: SUFFOLK COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
A man who jumped bail after being arrested for impersonating a police officer was taken into custody and held on high bail today, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
Sandro Anaya, 19, was arraigned in Chelsea District court today on that charge, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, carrying a dangerous weapon, violating a City of Revere ordinance against carrying a knife with a blade longer than 2.5 inches, and operating a vehicle as a junior operator without a licensed driver. Judge Benjamin Barnes imposed $50,000 cash bail.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas Ozbolt told the court that Revere Police spotted Anaya make an illegal turn from Broadway onto Winthrop Avenue at about 2 a.m. Saturday. Officers ran the car’s plates and learned that it had been reported stolen.
Officers stopped Anaya and ordered him out of the vehicle only to see that he was wearing a gold badge on a chain around his neck in the manner of a plainclothes police officer. They also recovered a folding knife from his pocket as well as an expandable baton, handcuffs, and a black BB gun that closely resembled an operable firearm, all in the vehicle. Officers placed him under arrest.
In post-Miranda statements to Revere Police, Anaya allegedly admitted to posing as a police officer, visiting violence on “the scum of the earth,” and going on “patrol” in Boston, Chelsea, Lynn, Revere, and “everywhere.” He allegedly implored the officers to join him in “looking for the real criminals.”
In the aftermath of his arrest, Anaya posted $1,000 bail but failed to appear for his arraignment Monday. Suffolk prosecutors requested a warrant, which issued that same day.
This morning, members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section spotted Anaya at Maverick Square in East Boston and executed the arrest warrant. At the time, he had a gold badge reading “Special Police Officer,” handcuffs and handcuff keys, and three folding knives.
Anaya is currently on probation for a series of 2012 convictions in Suffolk Superior Court stemming from incidents the prior year in East Boston, Chelsea, and Revere. He was sentenced to 2.5 years in a house of correction with two years to serve and the balance suspended for a five-year probationary period on charges of armed robbery, larceny, assault with a dangerous weapon, and impersonating an officer.
Anaya was represented by attorney Jose Vincenty. He will return to court on April 25.
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