FAIR LAWN, N.J. — A former Garfield police sergeant already facing criminal charges is now accused of embarking on a paintball shooting spree across five Bergen County towns, including an attack that struck a Fair Lawn schoolteacher in the head.

Anthony M. Pizzi, 30, was arrested Friday and remained in the Bergen County Jail Sunday after investigators accused him of firing paintballs from a vehicle at people and property in Fair Lawn, Garfield, Hasbrouck Heights, Lodi and Wallington.

Pizzi faces 28 counts tied to alleged incidents between Sept. 18 and Sept. 24, according to criminal records.

The charges include aggravated assault by attempting to cause serious bodily injury, as well as nine counts each of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful weapons possession and criminal mischief.

The alleged spree came to light after a paintball struck the car of a Fair Lawn elementary schoolteacher as she drove home from work Sept. 22.

The teacher was driving south on River Road near Morlot Avenue around 3:48 p.m., about a quarter-mile from Lyncrest Elementary School, when the projectile struck her vehicle.

Her window was open, and paint splattered inside the car. She was not injured.

Investigators reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing victims eventually identified Pizzi as a suspect, according to law enforcement sources.

The alleged attacks began in Hasbrouck Heights around Sept. 18 and continued through Sept. 24, according to criminal records.

Pizzi, a seven-year veteran of the Garfield Police Department, was already facing charges when the paintball case emerged.

He was arrested May 28 and accused of witness tampering after Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Pizzi contacted another Garfield officer and instructed him to provide false information to internal affairs investigators in an effort to influence the investigation.

Pizzi was released pending trial.

Less than a month later, on June 20, he was arrested by a Pompton Lakes police detective on a cocaine possession charge and released on a summons, according to court records.

Now the former sergeant is accused of being behind a bizarre series of paintball attacks spanning five Bergen County communities.

He remained jailed Sunday as the investigation continued.

The charges are allegations, and Pizzi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.