A Democratic state senator was recently arrested and charged by Rhode Island local police with vandalism and damage to property after the lawmaker allegedly “keyed” a vehicle parked in an outdoor shopping area with an “anti-Biden” sticker.
Recently, Cranston Police placed state Sen. Joshua Miller (D) in custody after he was accused of “keying” a vehicle in the Garden City Center parking lot.
The vehicle’s owner identified Miller to authorities after suspecting him of allegedly damaging the car. The owner claimed to have seen a man standing beside his vehicle, holding a keychain and gripping a single key and walking away when confronted.
The unidentified victim, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, noticed a vehicle parked next to him with a “Re-elect Senator Josh Miller” bumper sticker attached. After the incident, the victim searched Miller online and identified him as the suspect.
Since 2006, Miller has served as a representative of Cranston and Providence. He initially denied the accusation both to 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 to Miller, 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
An 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 being identified. When asked by the NBC reporter if he removed his jacket, Miller replied, “I took my jacket off — that’s not against the law.”
Miller practically admitted the crime to police after an officer showed up at his front doorstep saying police had footage of the incident.
Miller volunteered to go to the police station, where he was charged with vandalism and injury to property. He was later 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.”
Miller will be formally arraigned in court on July 18, 2023.
