FAIRFIELD, N.J. – A routine motorcycle stop outside a Wawa turned into a weapons arrest after police say a suspected motorcycle gang member pulled out a switchblade and then attempted to reach for a loaded handgun.
The encounter began around 10:07 p.m. Aug. 22 when Fairfield Police stopped a black 2018 Harley-Davidson on Two Bridges Road because the motorcycle did not have a visible license plate. Police identified the rider as 44-year-old Marcelo Valencia-Sol.
- Police stopped Valencia-Sol after allegedly seeing him riding a motorcycle without a visible license plate.
- During the stop, police say he produced several motorcycle plates from a saddlebag, including one altered with electrical tape.
- Officers allege Valencia-Sol pulled a switchblade and later attempted to reach a loaded handgun.
The confrontation resulted in weapons and assault charges against Valencia-Sol. The charges are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Motorcycle Stop Escalates at Fairfield Wawa
The stop began when officers spotted the Harley-Davidson traveling on Two Bridges Road without a license plate visibly displayed.
Police pulled the motorcycle over at a nearby Wawa and began investigating why the bike appeared to be operating without a plate.
Valencia-Sol allegedly opened a saddlebag and pulled out several motorcycle license plates.
One of those plates had allegedly been altered with electrical tape, according to the police account.
The discovery added another layer to what had started as a traffic stop, but the encounter became considerably more serious when officers say Valencia-Sol produced a knife.
Police allege he pulled out a switchblade while officers were dealing with him.
Police Say Rider Tried to Reach Loaded Handgun
The situation escalated further when Valencia-Sol allegedly attempted to reach for a loaded handgun.
Officers were able to take him into custody.
The account provided by authorities describes both a switchblade and loaded firearm being involved in the encounter. The available source material does not provide additional details about the handgun, including its make, model or caliber.
Police described Valencia-Sol as an alleged motorcycle gang member. That characterization comes from authorities and does not by itself establish membership in a criminal organization.
The circumstances surrounding the different license plates and why they were being carried also remain part of the allegations against him.
Weapons and Assault Charges Filed After Stop
Valencia-Sol faces weapons and assault-related charges stemming from the encounter.
The available source material does not provide the complete statutory list of charges, so no additional offenses should be inferred beyond those publicly reported.
The case highlights how quickly an otherwise ordinary New Jersey traffic stop can escalate when officers encounter suspected weapons.
Police have also alleged that at least one of the motorcycle plates recovered during the stop had been deliberately altered with electrical tape.
Further details about Valencia-Sol’s court proceedings and the disposition of the motorcycle were not included in the available report.
The encounter began as a motorcycle traffic stop.
Fairfield police say the Harley-Davidson was stopped on Two Bridges Road because officers could not see a license plate displayed on the motorcycle.
Police say several motorcycle plates were found during the stop.
Valencia-Sol allegedly produced multiple plates from a saddlebag, including one authorities say had been altered using electrical tape.
Officers allege both a switchblade and loaded handgun were involved.
Police say Valencia-Sol pulled a switchblade and subsequently attempted to reach for a loaded handgun before being taken into custody.
Sources: Fairfield Police Department account of the Aug. 22 traffic stop; originally reported by News 12.
