Total Pro Sports
Richard Tillman, brother of late NFL star and Army Ranger Pat Tillman, is suspected of driving into a South San Jose post office early Sunday morning, officials said.
The post office building caught fire and was engulfed in flames after the car went into it. The 44-year-old Tillman was booked on suspicion of arson into the Santa Clara County Jail.
“Shortly after 3 a.m. the San Jose Fire and Police Departments responded to reports of a vehicle on fire in the box lobby area at the Almaden Valley Station Post Office. The fire was extinguished with no injuries,” the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said in a statement.
The motive and circumstances of the crash are still under investigation, and police directed further inquiries to the USPS Postal Inspector, the lead investigating agency.
“Postal inspectors are investigating the incident as a potentially intentional act,” the Postal Inspection Service said.
Richard Tillman’s bail was set at $60,000. His next court hearing is scheduled for July 23.
In the meantime, more things are coming out about Tillman that may explain his actions.
Richard Tillman, the brother of American hero and former NFL player Pat Tillman, has reportedly been battling mental health issues prior to his arrest, his family revealed in a statement.
Kevin Tillman, Richard’s brother, commented on the situation to NBC Bay Area. He stated Richard “has been battling severe mental health issues for many years.”
“He has been livestreaming, what I’ll call, his altered self on social media for anyone to witness,” Kevin said.
“Unfortunately, securing the proper care and support for him has proven incredibly difficult — or rather, impossible. As a result, none of this is as shocking as it should be.”
Authorities say “the motive and circumstances” of Sunday’s crash are still being investigated by detectives.
Richard is currently being held at a Santa Clara County Jail on a charge of arson.
He is scheduled to be arraigned in court on Wednesday.
