Man arrested after driving sedan Into Wasilla Police headquarters

The Wasilla Police Department has released more information about the crash into their headquarters.

On May 13, 2026, at approximately 4:45 p.m., 41-year-old Palmer resident Thomas Desalvo II drove his vehicle into the front entrance of the Wasilla Police Department (WPD).

WPD reports that Desalvo entered the parking lot from the north, sped past the building, bypassed the southern concrete barriers, and drove across the lawn, ultimately crashing into the front arctic entryway. The vehicle became wedged between the damaged front doors and the entryway walls, failing to breach the second set of vestibule doors.

As an officer entered the lobby, a masked Desalvo attempted to use bear spray on him from inside the vehicle. The spray was ineffective, allowing officers to approach and command Desalvo to show his hands. Desalvo complied, keeping his hands visible until additional law enforcement arrived.

At the time of the collision, one citizen was in the lobby; they were not injured.

Multiple members of the Alaska State Troopers and the Wasilla Police Department took Desalvo into custody. Once detained, he then assaulted an officer who was attempting to assist him with medical treatment. Desalvo also made statements indicating that he should have run the officers over.

During the arrest, officers observed multiple unusual wires inside the vehicle running to a dashboard switch and around the cabin. Out of an abundance of caution regarding a potential explosive device, the Wasilla Police Department and the adjacent Wasilla High School ball fields were evacuated.

FBI Anchorage Special Agent Bomb Technicians (SABTs) and members of the Anchorage Bomb Squad responded to the scene to conduct a threat assessment. The vehicle was cleared of any explosive hazards, and it was determined there was no ongoing threat.

Desalvo was arrested and charged with the following offenses:

-Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree (3 counts)

-Burglary in the First Degree (1 count)

-Criminal Mischief in the First Degree (1 count)

-Assault in the Third Degree (1 count)

-Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree (1 count)

-Assault in the Fourth Degree (1 count)

-Reckless Endangerment (2 counts)

Following his arrest, Desalvo was transported to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, where he is currently held without bail.

Additional charges may be added as the investigation continues.

“The Wasilla Police Department extends its gratitude to the Alaska State Troopers, the FBI Anchorage Field Office, the ATF Anchorage Field Office, the Anchorage Police Department, the Central Mat-Su Fire Department, and Mat-Su Borough EMS for their swift and safe assistance in resolving this incident.”