School owner accused of shooting out store window in Gardner

GARDNER (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) The owner of a driver's education school is accused of shooting out a window at an Auto Zone in Gardner with a BB gun.

Dennis M. Maylin, 52, of Gardner, is facing charges that included malicious destruction of property over $250 and failing to stop on the signal of a police officer following an incident on Thanksgiving night.

Police say they responded to the Auto Zone on Timpany Blvd. at about 9:30 p.m. after a glass break alarm was triggered.

Investigators have been looking into similar incidents involving damage to over 30 commercial plate glass windows and doors over the past four months. They say a suspect also shot out car windows of oncoming vehicles in at least two instances. In one instance, a child was seated inside the car. Police say this investigation has led to several images of potential suspects who they placed under surveillance.

Following Thursday night's incident, police headed toward the home of one of the suspects. While driving, they spotted a gray Mazda believed to be the suspect's car. Police say the suspect, who they identify as Maylin, evaded police and then fled on foot toward his home while his car was still moving. Maylin was placed under arrest shortly after fleeing.

During a search of Maylin's car, police say they found a loaded CO2 BB pistol and BB projectiles. The 52-year-old is co-owner of the Fitchburg Driver Education School and was driving a car used in driver education training at the time of his arrest.

Maylin was held on $5,000 cash bail or $50,000 surety at his Friday arraignment.

Cox Media Group