Rhode Island state senator arrested for keying car with ‘Biden sucks’ sticker, police say

A Rhode Island state senator was arrested in Cranston final week for allegedly keying a car with a “Biden sucks” bumper sticker, native police said in an announcement.

State Sen Joshua Miller, a Democrat who has served within the state senate for almost 20 years, was captured on surveillance footage allegedly keying the automobile within the parking zone of the Backyard Metropolis Middle. Based on the police assertion, the automobile’s passenger stated he heard a scratching noise and noticed Miller with his keys in his palms whereas strolling again to their car.

When police caught up with Mr Miller a number of hours after the incident, he denied keying the car and he believed the automobile proprietor was a conservative activist who had been stalking him on the statehouse for his function in selling gun security laws. Mr Miller in February sponsored a bill to ban the acquisition, sale, and switch of assault weapons within the state.

“Is that this maniac who yelled at me within the car subsequent to me?” Mr Miller requested the police officer who detained him in a physique digital camera footage launched by the Cranston Police Division.

Mr Miller then supplied his clarification of occasions, telling the officer that the automobile proprietor referred to as out his identify.

“He was blocking my means, saying that I scratched his car, I didn’t scratch his car,” Mr Miller stated. “I’m a state senator, I feel he acknowledged me. I feel he’s one of many gun nuts.”

Mr Miller then instructed the officer that Colonel Michael Winquist was conscious that he has been stalked in current months by individuals against his political actions.

In a statement on the incident, nonetheless, the Cranston Police Division wrote that “Mr Miller by no means reported any threats to Colonel Winquist or any member of the Cranston Police Division.”

After police officers considered the surveillance footage, Mr Miller was arrested for vandalism/malicious damage to property and charged with a misdemeanor. When questioned once more, the police assertion stated, Mr Miller stated the automobile proprietor was “daring me” to key the car. He was later arraigned and launched on a $1,000 bond. He’s due again in courtroom on July 18 for a rearraignment.

“No person is above the legislation, together with those that make and implement the legal guidelines,” Mr Winquist stated in a statement. “The Officers who dealt with this investigation did so with equity, integrity, and with out preferential remedy. I might count on no much less from the fantastic women and men of the Cranston Police Division.”

The Unbiased has reached out to Mr Miller’s workplace for remark.