22.07.2025

"Fiery Poste Crash Investigated as Possible Arson"

SAN JOSE, Calif

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is conducting an investigation into a car crash that occurred at a post office in San Jose, California, over the weekend. The incident, which took place around 3 a.m. on Sunday, is being treated as a potentially intentional act, according to officials. The crash involved a vehicle that rammed into the Almaden Valley Station Post Office, located in a strip mall, resulting in a significant fire that damaged the building severely.

The driver of the car, identified as 44-year-old Richard Tillman from San Jose, was arrested following the incident. San Jose police reported that no injuries were sustained as a result of the crash. Approximately 50 firefighters responded to the blaze, working for about an hour and a half to extinguish the flames. Images released by the fire department depict a charred vehicle inside the heavily damaged one-story post office.

Tillman is facing charges of arson and has been booked into custody with bail set at $60,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, though a contact number for him has not been made available. Efforts to determine whether Tillman has legal representation have been initiated by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office.

Michael Martel, a U.S. Postal Inspector, confirmed that postal inspectors are treating the incident as potentially intentional, emphasizing that no details regarding a possible motive for the crash have been disclosed at this time.

San Jose is a major city in California, with a metropolitan population nearing 2 million residents. It is situated approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of downtown San Francisco.

This incident raises public concern regarding safety at postal facilities, especially as investigations into the motives behind such actions unfold. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, known for its role in protecting postal service employees, clients, and facilities, remains actively involved in this ongoing case.