Anthony Yates
Authorities arrested a Washington man after he reportedly arrived at an active police scene, impersonating an officer, complete with a badge.
Videos by Rare
What happened: The Bremerton Police Department posted a news release about the bizarre incident on Facebook. Officers spoke to a man who identified himself as an off-duty Edmonds police detective. However, an investigation revealed he was not a detective and was, in fact, a security guard for a nearby business.
- The police department revealed the suspect’s identity as 49-year-old Michael A. Scaletta-Teates of Lacey, Washington. He reportedly showed up at the crime scene in an unmarked Ford Explorer sporting blue police lights.
- On top of the metallic badge, Scaletta-Teates was wearing body armor with “POLICE” and “SWAT” logos. It remains unclear what he intended to do at the scene, but authorities reveal he is a convicted felon and was armed. Authorities took him into custody “in possession of a large amount of police equipment.”
Police Reveal Bodycam Footage Of The Incident
The wannabee cop faces multiple charges: The news release explains that the suspect is charged with Criminal Impersonation 1st Degree and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree. Authorities booked Scaletta-Teates into Kitsap County Jail.
- Komo News shared bodycam footage as well as additional details about the incident. The outlet explains that the Salvation Army hired Scaletta-Teates to perform unarmed security.
- Bodycam footage shows the suspect conversing with genuine officers. “I retired from Baltimore City after 27 years. Came out here,” he said. Scaletta-Teates later boasted, “I know a lot of detectives from Edmonds from the gang network and stuff like that. The anti-narcotics training on base every year.”
- The outlet also shared footage of his story starting to unravel. He was still declaring he was an Edmonds officer as authorities placed him in cuffs. Witnesses told Komo News that the suspect was acting strangely even before he arrived at the crime scene. “He was intimidating last night. He told a couple of my friends to shut up and keep walking,” one said.
Scaletta-Teates pleaded not guilty to the charges and had his bond set at $50,000.
