Democratic lawmaker reportedly admits to cops that he vandalized car decorated with 'Biden Sucks' sticker after first denying it, calling accuser 'one of the gun nuts'

A Rhode Island Democratic state senator was recorded on police bodycam video last Thursday night reportedly admitting to an officer that he vandalized a car after first being recorded by cops earlier that day denying the act and calling his accuser "one of the gun nuts."

The vandalized car was decorated with a "Biden Sucks" sticker, the Rhode Island Current reported.

What are the details?

State Sen. Joshua Miller was charged with vandalism and malicious injury to property and released on $1,000 personal recognizance, WJAR-TV reported, citing Cranston police.

Police said the car was scratched with a key at the Garden City Shopping Center, the station said.

The vehicle's owner and passenger heard a loud scratching sound and said they saw a man standing on the side of the vehicle holding a keychain and gripping a single key while quickly walking away, police told WJAR.

The man later was identified as Miller, police noted to the station.

The car passenger asked Miller if he had done it, and Miller denied it and walked away, WJAR said, citing a police report.

The victim noticed a vehicle parked close to his that was decorated with a "Re-elect Senator Josh Miller" bumper sticker, the station said, adding that the victim looked up Miller online, identified him as the suspect, and called police wanting to press charges.

Cranston police body camera footage shows Miller being pulled over in the shopping center about two hours after the victim called police, WJAR said.

In the video, the officer tells Miller he's being detained, after which Miller refers to "the maniac who yelled at me in the car next to me ... he was blocking my way, saying I scratched his car, I didn't scratch his car. 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."

Miller added that he "was worried he was one of the gun nuts who stalked me at the State House ..."

Cranston Police video June 22 2023youtu.be

WJAR said police brought back the car passenger who identified Miller as the man who keyed the car, after which Miller was allowed to leave since the alleged crime was a misdemeanor.

Police said they reviewed surveillance video showing Miller standing next to the damaged vehicle, the station reported, adding that when cops interviewed Miller at his home later Thursday, he "admitted to the damage."

In the nighttime bodycam clip, WJAR said Maj. Todd Patalano asked Miller, "We got evidence, so you tell us how you want to handle this. You keyed his car?"

“Yeah," Miller replied.

Several times Patalano asked Miller why he would key the victim's car, after which Miller said, "He was threatening me already" and that the accuser "was already screaming at me" and "because he was daring me to, basically."

Cranston Police respond to the home of Rhode Island Sen. Joshua Miller on June 22, 2023youtu.be

WJAR said Miller volunteered to go to Cranston Police Headquarters, where he was charged with vandalism and malicious injury to property and was released on $1,000 personal recognizance.

The station said Miller will be formally arraigned July 18.

Anything else?

WJAR said Miller didn't pick up his phone after the station called him to hear his side of the story. The station added that police didn't name the owner of the damaged car.

Joe Powers, chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party, called on Miller to resign from the General Assembly in a tweet posted Friday, the Current reported.

“This behavior is unbecoming of anyone holding a leadership position,” Miller wrote, according to the outlet. “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.”

Miller previously was criticized for cursing at a gun rights advocate during a 2014 rally at the State House captured on video and posted online, WPRI-TV reported, adding that Miller later apologized for the outburst.

This story has been updated.

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