RI State Sen. Joshua Miller, arrested for vandalism/malicious injury after he keyed other man's SUV
By: 0:00 - First body cam
18:29 - Arrest body cam
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Rhode Island state Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Cranston, Providence), was arrested Thursday after Cranston police said he vandalized a man's SUV with a "Biden Sucks" bumper sticker.
Miller was charged with vandalism/malicious injury to property after police said he keyed the other man's SUV around 3:30 p.m. in the Garden City Center parking lot.
The SUV's owner and passenger told police they were walking back to their car when they heard a scratching noise and saw Miller with a key in his hand. Police said the SUV owner noticed a long scratch on the vehicle's door, so the man asked Miller if he had keyed his car. Miller denied it and walked away, according to police.
About two hours after the SUV owner filed a police report, officers found Miller and questioned him about the incident. According to police, Miller denied damaging the vehicle and said the man threatened him verbally.
According to police, Miller also told the officer who stopped him that he had recently been stalked and threatened by "gun nuts." Police said Miller believed the SUV driver may have recognized hi as a state senator and threatened him for that reason.
Miller told the officers to call Police Chief Michael Winquist. Winquist was aware of the threats and was patrolling near Miller's home but said the state senator never reported any threats.
Later on, police reviewed Garden City Center security video and said Miller was seen next to the damaged vehicle.
Police said they confronted Miller with the new evidence, and he admitted to keying the SUV. Miller said he damaged the SUV because the owner "yelled at him" and "dared him" to do it, according to police.
Miller was arraigned by a justice of the peace and was released on $1,000 personal recognizance. He is scheduled to be at Third District Court in Warwick for a re-arraignment on July 18.
"Nobody is above the law, including those who make and enforce the laws," Winquist said. "The officers who handled this investigation did so with fairness, integrity, and without preferential treatment. I would expect no less from the fine men and women of the Cranston Police Department."