Rhode Island politician accused of keying car in shopping center with anti-Biden sticker

Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, has announced that 69-year-old State Senator Joshua Miller of Cranston, RI, was charged with Vandalism/Malicious Injury to Property Thursday evening after allegedly “keying” a vehicle in the Garden City Shopping Center.

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. They stated that when returning to their vehicle, they heard a loud scratching noise consistent with someone keying a vehicle. He observed a male standing on the passenger side of his vehicle walk away quickly, holding a keychain and gripping a single key. The passenger then observed a lengthy scratch on the side of the SUV that he was sure was not there before he parked at the location. The passenger then asked the man, later identified as Joshua Miller, if he had just “keyed” his vehicle. Miller denied he was responsible and quickly walked away. The victim noticed a vehicle parked directly next to his after they left to shop and in a parking space on the same side where the damage occurred. He also observed a ” Re-elect Senator Josh Miller” bumper sticker affixed to the rear of the vehicle.

He then looked up “Senator Josh Miller on the internet on his cell phone, which returned a photo of him. He immediately recognized the man in the photo as the person he suspected of keying his vehicle. The vehicle’s owner completed a statement indicating he wished to file charges against the person responsible for the damage.

Joshua Miller

Officers checked the shopping plaza and were initially unable to locate a person matching the suspect’s description. Approximately two hours later, Joshua Miller was observed wearing the same clothing except for his suit jacket, which was inside a bag he was carrying. He returned to his vehicle, which was parked directly next to where the victim had been parked. He was stopped when leaving the shopping plaza in his vehicle. The Officer advised Miller he was investigating a crime. When presented with the allegation, Miller denied damaging the vehicle and alleged that the person parked beside him had verbally threatened him. The victim was called back to the scene and identified Miller as the person who had keyed his vehicle.

Miller was permitted to leave as the alleged crime he was suspected of committing was a misdemeanor and to allow Officers time to view the surveillance camera footage in the shopping plaza. After viewing the video, the witness’ account of the incident was corroborated.

Police noted that Miller stated to the Officer who stopped him that he was being stalked and threatened by “gun nuts” at the State House, and he believed the person in the vehicle may have recognized him as a State Senator and threatened him for that reason. He told the Officer to call Colonel Michael Winquist, who was aware of the threats and was patrolling the area of his home. Miller never reported any threats to Colonel Winquist or any member of the Cranston Police Department, according to police.

After viewing the surveillance video, Officers responded to Miller’s residence to re-interview him. Miller was confronted with additional information, including he was observed next to the damaged vehicle on video surveillance cameras. He then admitted he had damaged the vehicle because the owner had been yelling at him and “dared him” to do it.

Miller voluntarily responded to Cranston Police Headquarters and was charged with Vandalism/Malicious Injury to Property. He was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on $1000 personal recognizance. His next scheduled court date is July 18, 2023, for re-arraignment in the Third District Court.

Of note, the vehicle that was allegedly vandalized had a “Biden Sucks” sticker on the rear windshield.

Colonel Winquist stated, “Nobody is above the law, including those who make and enforce the laws. 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.”