Rhode Island state Sen. Josh Miller, (D-Cranston), was arrested Thursday and charged with vandalism after being accused of keying an SUV with a “Biden sucks” sign.
It’s unclear what triggered a possible afternoon exchange between Miller and the other driver at the Garden City shopping plaza in Cranston.
According to a Cranston police report, Miller admitted causing the damage because the owner of the SUV yelled at him and “dared him” to do it.
In an earlier bodycam video, Miller told police he walked away from the other person because he was scared.
“And I was worried that he was one of the gun nuts who stalks me at the Statehouse, so I kept walking,” said Miller, an advocate of more restrictions for guns.
The driver of the other vehicle told police he didn’t previously know Miller, but was able to identify him after he walked away since he has a sign with his name on the back of his vehicle.
Miller was first elected in 2006 and he chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. He also holds a leadership role in the Democratic State Committee.
Miller owns Trinity Brewhouse and he’s long been involved in the bar and restaurant business in Providence.
His lawyer, John MacDonald, declined comment. The next court appearance for Miller is July 18.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org
