Rhode Island local police reportedly arrested and charged a Democrat state senator last week with vandalism and malicious injury to property after the lawmaker allegedly vandalized a vehicle with an “anti-Biden” sticker parked at an outdoor shopping area.
On Thursday, Cranston Police reportedly placed State Senator Joshua Miller (D) in custody after he was accused of “keying” an SUV in the Garden City Center parking lot around 3:30 p.m.
The vehicle’s owner identified the 69-year-old politician to authorities after suspecting him of allegedly damaging the car, claiming they saw a man standing beside their vehicle holding a keychain and gripping a single key while quickly walking away after confronting him about the incident.
The unidentified victim, reportedly a supporter of former President Donald Trump, noticed a vehicle parked near his with a “Re-elect Senator Josh Miller” bumper sticker attached. Following the incident, the victim looked up Miller online and identified him as the suspect.
Miller, who has served as a representative of Cranston and Providence since 2006, first denied the accusation to both the authorities and the victim.
“He was blocking my way, saying I scratched his car, I didn’t scratch his car,” Miller said in a video posted on social media. “I’m a state senator — I think he’d recognize. I think he’s one of the gun nuts.”
An unidentified male in the video responded, saying he doesn’t “know any of the senators, to be honest.”
Surveillance video shows the moments Senator Josh Miller is accused of keying an SUV with an anti-Biden sticker at Garden City
He first tells Cranston PD he didn't do it, then when they show up at his house and say they have video, he admits to it @wpri12 https://t.co/Fn78uKFKrt pic.twitter.com/vt8Zw3sZD0
— Amanda Pitts (@AmandaPittsTV) June 23, 2023
A local NBC affiliate approached Miller asking if he keyed a Trump supporter’s car.
Miller responded, “I have to review the charges.”
Miller reportedly had changed clothes at the scene to avoid identification. When asked by the reporter if he removed his jacket at the location, Miller responded, “I took my jacket off — that’s not against the law.”
Miller appeared to admit the crime to police after an officer showed up at his house saying police obtained video of the incident.
The senator volunteered to go to the police station, where he was charged with vandalism and malicious injury to property and was released on $1,000 personal recognizance.
“Nobody is above the law, including those who make and enforce the laws,” Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist said in a news release Friday. “The officers who handled this investigation did so with fairness, integrity, and without preferential treatment.”
According to local media, Miller will be formally arraigned in court on July 18.
The Post Millenial reported Miller engaged in controversial activities in the past: a video previously captured him telling a man, “Go f*ck yourself” after he told the lawmaker, “The Second Amendment shall not be infringed, you people need to understand that.”
Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers said Miller should leave office after the arrest.
“This behavior is unbecoming of anyone holding a leadership position,” Powers wrote on Twitter. “State Senator Joshua Miller has proven once again the he does not have the composure required to represent every constituent in his district and must resign immediately.”