Local police in Rhode Island arrested a liberal state senator recently, charging him with vandalism and malicious injury to property for allegedly vandalizing a car that had an “anti-Biden” sticker on it.
The incident happened last week at a shopping area.
Democratic state Senator Joshua Miller was arrested by Cranston Police last week. He was accused of keying an SUV that was parked in the parking lot of the Garden City Center. The incident occurred in the middle of the day, at about 3:30 p.m.
The owner of the vehicle was able to identify Miller as the person who keyed his car. The victim said they saw a man standing right next to their vehicle and gripping a single key on their keychain. The person then quickly walked away from the vehicle once the victim confronted him.
The victim also said they noticed that a car parked near theirs has a sticker that read “Re-elect Senator Josh Miller.” Once the incident happened, the victim looked Miller up online, and was able to make the match that he was the one who keyed the car.
Miller has represented Providence and Cranston since being elected to the state Senate in 2006.
Initially, Miller denied that he keyed the victim’s car when confronted by the victim and by authorities.
In a video that was posted online, Miller is seen saying:
“He was blocking my way, saying I scratched his car. I didn’t scratch his car. I’m a state senator – I think he’d recognize. I think he’s one of the gun nuts.”
Another male who can be seen in the video says that he doesn’t “know any of the senators, to be honest.”
When a local affiliate of NBC approached Miller and asked him if he keyed the car of a Trump supporter, the state senator had an interesting response. He said:
“I have to review the charges.”
To avoid being identified, MIller allegedly changed his clothes right there at the scene. The reporter then asked whether Miller had taken off his jacket there, he responded:
“I took my jacket off. That’s not against the law.
Once a police officer arrived at Miller’s house after the incident and told him that they obtained a video of the whole ordeal, Miller seemingly admitted that he committed the crime. He voluntarily went down to the police station, where the charges were formally filed against him.
He was released on personal recognizance of $1,000.
In a news release sent after Miller was arrested, Michael Winquist, Cranston’s police chief, said:
“Nobody is above the law, including those who make and enforce the laws. The officers who handled this investigation did so with fairness, integrity and without preferential treatment.”
Miller is expected to be formally arraigned on July 18.
Joe Powers, the chairman of the Rhode Island GOP, said following the incident that Miller should depart from his office. He tweeted:
“This behavior is unbecoming of anyone holding a leadership position. State Senator Joshua Miller has proven once again that he does not have the composure required to represent every constituent in his district and must resign immediately.”
