Driver's ed teacher accused of BB gun shooting spree

FITCHBURG, Mass. (WHDH) -- A man responsible for teaching teens how to drive is accused of breaking the law behind the wheel, and taking aim at other drivers. Police say the suspect used a BB gun to shoot out the windows of businesses and passing cars. Police believe the shootings went on for about four months.

The owner of a Fitchburg driving school had his license revoked after police say he was driving around shooting at store windows and people’s homes. By police estimates, it could add up to $50,000 worth of damage.

Linda McHugh was putting out her Christmas decorations when she noticed a hole in her window.

“My chair is right in front of that window and I have my grandkids all the time,” McHugh said.

Gardner Police say there are at least 30 more stories like hers -- mostly from business owners who've been finding a lot of broken glass.

“That was shattered. We got that replaced. Then Thursday last week we had another incident where that glass pane was shattered,” said a business owner.

Police say it started months ago; they’ve been tracking a possible suspect for a while and on Thanksgiving Day, they moved in to make an arrest.

Dennis Maylin, a 52-year-old driving instructor, was arrested and is behind bars. Police accuse him of using a bb gun for a shooting spree that targeted stores and a few moving cars.

“Somebody could have been seriously injured,” an officer said.

Maylin was arrested at his Gardner home. Police pursued him after the alarm sounded when a window shattered at the AutoZone.

“If it was a higher caliber weapon I’m sure it would have done a lot worse,” a business owner said.

Linda McHugh says police just found a BB right in her front yard.

“It's kind of unnerving,” she said.

Maylin is expected to face more charges. He is being held on $5,000 bail.