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Revere teen taken back into custody for impersonating an officer

REVERE, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – An 18-year-old, who jumped bail after being arrested for impersonating a police officer, was taken into custody and held on high bail Thursday.

Sandro Anaya was arraigned Thursday on several charges, including receiving a stolen motor vehicle, carrying a dangerous weapon, violating a City of Revere ordinance against carrying a knife with a blade longer than 2½ inches, and operating a vehicle as a junior operator without a licensed driver. A judge imposed a $50,000 cash bail.

Police reportedly spotted Anaya make an illegal turn from Broadway onto Winthrop Avenue while operating a stolen vehicle at about 2 a.m. Saturday.

Officers ordered Anaya out of the car and saw he was dressed like a plainclothes police officer. They seized a folding knife, an expandable baton, handcuffs, and a black BB gun that closely resembled an operable firearm, authorities said.

Anaya was placed under arrest and reportedly admitted post-Miranda statements that he posed 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."

Police said Anaya had a history of committing armed robberies while impersonating a police officer, and he has previously assaulted victims and has been arrested with weapons.

Anaya posted $1,000 bail, but failed to appear for his arraignment Monday. Suffolk prosecutors requested a warrant.

A division of the Massachusetts State Police spotted Anaya at Maverick Square in East Boston and executed the search warrant. At the time, Anaya reportedly 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 2½ 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 will return to court on April 25.