Global Courant
A Rhode Island state senator was arrested last week after allegedly vandalizing a car with a “Biden sucks” bumper sticker, claiming he was “dared” to do it by the victim.
Police say 69-year-old Senator Joshua Miller was seen on surveillance footage tinkering with a car at the Garden City Center in Cranston, Rhode Island, last Thursday.
The unidentified son of the car’s owner told police he heard a scratching sound as he walked back to his SUV and saw Miller with the keys in hand. After asking Miller if he keyed in the vehicle, he said Miller denied it and walked off.
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When police encountered Miller about two hours later, he denied vandalizing the vehicle and had police look at his keys to check for paint transfer, according to body camera video obtained by Fox News.
Miller told police he believed the victim recognized him and was one of “gun lunatics” who he believes is stalking him for sponsoring anti-gun legislation. He also accused the victim of threatening him.
“He blocked my way and said I scratched his car, but not his car,” Miller said. “I’m a senator, I think he recognized me. I think he’s one of the crazy ones.”
The unidentified family says Senator Joshua Miller may have keyed their vehicle because of the “Biden sucks” bumper sticker. (Cranston Police)
Miller is also seen in the video as unnamed Police Colonel Michael Winquist, who tells the police to call him because he knew about the “gun nuts” threats against Miller.
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Cranston Police Department disputed his claim in a press release posted on social media.
“Mr. Miller never reported any threats to Colonel Winquist or any member of the Cranston Police Department,” the statement read.
“No one is above the law, including those who make and enforce the laws,” Winquist added. “The officers who handled this investigation did so with honesty, integrity and without preferential treatment.”
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Miller, who is the Senate Democracy Policy Chair and heads the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, represents District 28 (where the incident also took place) and was first elected to his position in 2006. He sponsored Senate Bill 379introduced on February 16, 2023, which prohibits the possession, sale and transfer of assault weapons.
Joshua Miller was arrested for allegedly keying someone’s car with a “Biden sucks” bumper sticker. (Cranston Police)
In a body camera video released by the Cranston Police Department, the victim returns to the scene and identifies Miller as the vandal. He also told police he did not recognize Miller as a state legislator. His mother pointed out that she thinks the vandal didn’t like her “Biden sucks” bumper sticker when she initially reported the incident to police.
According to the press release, the victim saw Miller’s “Re-elect Senator John Miller” bumper sticker on his car, which led him to look up the Senator’s name on the Internet and realize that Miller was the man he had just met.
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The officers initially released Miller until they had access to security footage, but once they reviewed it, they said it corroborated the witness’s account.
Police later arrived at Miller’s home and questioned him about the footage. Another bodycam video shows Miller admitting to being the vandal, again claiming he was threatened and that the victim “challenged” him into keying his car.
This view shows the vehicle reportedly vandalized by Rhode Island State Senator Joshua Miller. (Cranston Police)
“But what is the reason for tinkering with the car, that is the question?” asks a police officer in the footage.
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“Because he actually challenged me,” Miller replied.
Miller voluntarily went to the police station where he was charged with vandalism/intentional injury to property violations. He was charged and released on $1,000 personal admission. He is due to appear in court on July 18, 2023 for a new charge.
Miller did not return a request for comment in time for publication.
Click here for more footage of the Miller incident.
