Democrat Rhode Island State Senator Joshua Miller, 69, who represents Cranston and Providence, has been arrested and formally charged with Vandalism/Malicious Injury to Property.
Senator Miller is accused of deliberately defacing another individual’s car, because of an anti-Biden bumper sticker on the vehicle.
According to a report by WJAR News in Providence, Senator Joshua Miller is accused of keying the car. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon at the Garden City Shopping Center, where witnesses reported hearing a loud scratching sound as they returned to their vehicle after shopping.
Following the victim’s report of the alleged vandalism, the Cranston police were summoned to the location.
According to Rhode Island Current, law enforcement officers observed a solitary, lengthy scratch on the rear passenger door, indicative of recent keying. Notably, the vehicle possessed a sticker in the rear window with the text “Biden sucks.”
WJAR News stated that Senator Miller was arrested approximately two hours after the complaint was filed in Garden City.
Based on the Cranston police body camera footage, Miller was dressed in a manner consistent with the descriptions provided by witnesses, except for his jacket, which he had stowed in a bag.
When questioned by the police regarding the change of clothing, Miller responded, “I took my jacket off, that’s not against the law.”
Miller denied any involvement in causing damage to the vehicle and claimed that the owner of the car had followed him and threatened him.
“He was blocking my way, saying I scratched his car, I didn’t scratch his car,” Miller said.
“I’m a state senator, I think he recognized me. I think he’s one of the gun nuts. He called out my name. I never told him my name,” he added.
Police said Miller was seen standing on the passenger sidewalk, gripping a key in his hand.
From WJAR:
The arrest was first reported by NBC 10’s Gene Valicenti whose sources tell him that Miller is accused of keying a Trump supporter’s vehicle in the Garden City Shopping Center on Thursday.
The Cranston Police Department later confirmed that via a press release to the media.
When asked by Valicenti if he keyed a Trump supporter’s car, Miller responded “I have to review the charges.”
Valicenti asked Miller if he had changed clothes at the scene to avoid identification.
Miller responded, “I took my jacket off, that’s not against the law.”
“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,” Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers said.
Raymond T. McKay, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, joined the chorus of voices urging Miller to step down from his position. McKay additionally called upon Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to return campaign donations that had been contributed by Miller.
