Alleged motorcycle gang member accused of pulling knife, reaching for gun during stop
The man allegedly pulled several motorcycle license plates from his saddlebag, including one that had been altered with electrical tape.
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An alleged motorcycle gang member faces weapons and assault charges after drawing a switchblade during a traffic stop at a Wawa and attempting to reach for a loaded handgun.
The incident occurred around 10:07 p.m. on Aug. 22, when Fairfield police pulled over a black 2018 Harley Davidson motorcycle on Two Bridges Road because it was missing a visible license plate.
Authorities say the rider, identified as 44-year-old Marcelo Valencia-Solis, of Hackensack, was wearing a vest displaying patches associated with the Thunderguards outlaw motorcycle gang.
During the stop, Valencia-Solis allegedly pulled several motorcycle license plates from his saddlebag, including one that had been altered with electrical tape. When police asked if he was carrying any weapons, Valencia-Solis pulled a switchblade from his pants pocket and held it in a position where the blade could easily engage.
An officer grabbed the suspect's wrist and repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon before Valencia-Solis eventually threw the knife to the ground.
As the officer attempted to place him under arrest, Valencia-Solis continued to resist and repeatedly reached toward his waistband.
An off-duty Hackensack police officer, who happened to be at the Wawa, saw the struggle and rushed over to assist. Additional Fairfield officers arrived shortly after, and the suspect was taken into custody.
A search of Valencia-Solis revealed a loaded Ruger .380-caliber handgun tucked in his waistband.
Valencia-Solis was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of a switchblade, gang criminality, aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and tampering with public records.
