A Democratic public official from Rhode Island was arrested for allegedly keying a car with a key, according to reports.
State Sen. Joshua Miller, a Democrat representing Cranston and Providence, is being accused by the Cranston Police Department of scratching a car with a key.
The incident occurred on Thursday when Miller allegedly keyed a vehicle belonging to a supporter of former President Donald Trump in the Garden City Shopping Center, NBC 10 reported.
Police later confirmed the incident in a statement, saying: “On June 22, 2023, at approximately 3:39 PM, a Patrol Officer was dispatched to a call in the Garden City Shopping Center regarding a SUV reportedly vandalized at this location. The vehicle’s owner and passenger stated that they parked near the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream store and walked away from the vehicle to shop.”
When police confronted Miller around two hours later, he denied vandalizing the vehicle and let the police look at his keys to check for paint transfer, according to body camera footage obtained by Fox News.
Surveillance video shows the moments Senator Josh Miller is accused of keying an SUV with an anti-Biden sticker at Garden City
— Amanda Pitts (@AmandaPittsTV) June 23, 2023
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
The senator then told police that he thought the victim recognized him and was one of the “gun nuts” who are pursuing him because he has sponsored anti-gun legislation. He also claimed that the victim had threatened him.
“He was blocking my way, saying that I scratched his car, I didn’t scratch his car,” he said. “I’m a state senator, I think he recognized me. I think he’s one of the gun nuts.”
In the video, Miller can also be heard mentioning police Col. Michael Winquist, instructing them to call him since he was aware of the threats made against Miller by “gun nuts.”
“Mr. Miller never reported any threats to Colonel Winquist or any member of the Cranston Police Department,” the statement read, disputing the Rhode Island Democrat’s claim.
“Nobody is above the law, including those who make and enforce the laws,” Winquist added in the statement. “The officers who handled this investigation did so with fairness, integrity, and without preferential treatment.”
Miller voluntarily went to the police station, where he was charged with vandalism and malicious injury to property, both misdemeanors. Reporters have reached out to his office for comment, but they have not immediately returned the request.
