Outlaw Biker Pulled Switchblade On Fairfield Cop, Then An Off-Duty Detective Swooped In: Police
A New Jersey traffic stop involving a suspected outlaw motorcycle gang member escalated when he pulled out a switchblade before police found a loaded handgun tucked into his waistband, authorities said.
Cecilia Levine Daily Voice September 3, 2026
https://dailyvoice.com/article/outlaw-biker-pulled-switchblade-on-nj-cop-off-duty-detective-swoops-in-police/
Marcelo Valencia-Solis, 44, of Hackensack, was riding a black 2018 Harley-Davidson on Two Bridges Road in Fairfield around 10:07 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, when Cpl. Jeffrey Dean noticed the motorcycle had no visible license plate, Fairfield Police Chief Anthony G. Manna said.
Valencia-Solis was wearing a denim vest displaying “Thunderguards” and “New Jersey” rockers, which police said commonly indicate membership or affiliation with the New Jersey chapter of the Thunderguards outlaw motorcycle gang.
Dean stopped Valencia-Solis and, during the encounter, Valencia-Solis removed several motorcycle license plates from his saddlebag, including one that had been altered with electrical tape, police said.
When Dean asked whether Valencia-Solis had anything on him that would concern the officer, Valencia-Solis pulled a switchblade from his pants pocket and held it in a position where the blade could easily be engaged, authorities said.
Dean ordered him to drop the knife and grabbed his wrist to control his movements, police said. Valencia-Solis eventually threw the knife down after repeated commands, according to Manna.
Valencia-Solis continued resisting as Dean tried to arrest him and repeatedly reached toward his waistband, authorities said.
Off-duty Hackensack Police Detective Michael Reo, who happened to be at the nearby Wawa, saw the encounter and rushed over to help Dean, police said. Other Fairfield officers arrived and Valencia-Solis was handcuffed.
Officers then searched Valencia-Solis and found a loaded Ruger .380-caliber handgun in his waistband, authorities said.
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.
He was remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility pending an initial Superior Court hearing.
“This occurrence strongly reflects the ever present dangers faced by law enforcement officers in all jurisdictions around our country and just how quickly law enforcement encounters can escalate with uncooperative suspects. I strongly commend the actions and bravery of Fairfield Corporal Jeffrey Dean and Hackensack Detective Michael Reo, in bringing this incident to a successful resolve. Their actions reflect the bond and commitment that exists among all law enforcement officers in making sure our community is safe in the finest tradition of our profession,” Manna said.
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