Local police in the second-largest city in Rhode Island have arrested and charged a Democrat state senator with vandalism and malicious injury to property.
Last week, police in Cranston, Rhode Island placed State Sen. Joshua Miller (D) in custody after he allegedly vandalized a vehicle for having an “anti-Biden” sticker on it.
The incident took place around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Garden City Center parking lot, an outdoor shopping area.
Miller, 69, was accused of “keying” the car by the vehicle’s owner. The victim told police that they confronted the man after they saw him standing beside their vehicle holding a keychain and gripping a single key. The suspect reportedly fled the scene after being confronted.
The unidentified victim, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, said that they had noticed a vehicle parked near their car with a “Re-elect Senator Josh Miller” bumper sticker. After their car was vandalized, the victim searched Miller’s name online and identified him as the suspect.
In a video posted on social media, Miller admitted that the vehicle owner had confronted him, but denied the vandalism allegations.
“He was blocking my way, saying I scratched his car, I didn’t scratch his car,” he said in the video. “I’m a state senator — I think he’d recognize. I think he’s one of the gun nuts.”
An unidentified male can be heard in the background of the video stating that he doesn’t “know any of the senators, to be honest.”
After being asked by a reporter from a local NBC affiliate about whether he had keyed the Trump supporter’s car, Miller replied: “I have to review the charges.”
The Democrat state senator reportedly even changed clothes at the scene to avoid being identified. Miller defended this action after being asked about it by the reporter, stating: “I took my jacket off — that’s not against the law.”
When police officers showed up at his house to question him, Miller first denied the allegations. However, after an officer stated that they had obtained footage of the crime, he appeared to admit guilt.
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
Miller went to the police station voluntarily and was charged with vandalism and malicious injury to property. He was later released on $1,000 personal recognizance.
In a press release on Friday, Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist noted that Miller was being treated like any other citizen during the investigation.
“Nobody is above the law, including those who make and enforce the laws,” the press release stated. “The officers who handled this investigation did so with fairness, integrity, and without preferential treatment.”
Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers spoke out about the vandalism incident, arguing that Miller should resign from the state Senate.
“This behavior is unbecoming of anyone holding a leadership position,” Powers tweeted. “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.”
This behavior is unbecoming of anyone holding a leadership position. 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. https://t.co/MZdKqm13kT
— Joe Powers (@RIGOPChairman) June 23, 2023
Miller is scheduled to appear at a formal arraignment on July 18.
This is not the first time that Miller attacked his political opposition, as he was previously caught on camera telling a man to “go f—k yourself” after the man said that the “Second Amendment shall not be infringed, you people need to understand that.”
