05/14/2026
Press Release- Vehicle Collision into Wasilla Police Department
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.
Desalvo entered the parking lot from the north entrance, accelerated past the front of the building, and drove around the concrete barriers on the south side of the lot. He then traveled across the lawn and crashed into the building's 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.
At the time of the collision, one citizen was in the lobby; they were not injured.
Desalvo, who was wearing a mask, produced a can of bear spray from inside the vehicle and attempted to deploy it at an officer who had entered the lobby. The bear spray had no effect. Officers approached the vehicle and ordered Desalvo to keep his hands up. Desalvo complied and kept his hands visible until additional law enforcement arrived.
Multiple members of the Alaska State Troopers and the Wasilla Police Department took Desalvo into custody. Once detained, Desalvo 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)
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.
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Formal release located here: https://www.cityofwasilla.gov/611/Individual-Incident-Press-Releases
