Wichita ? Wichita police are investigating a fireworks mortar shell that had been shoved into the gas tank of a police car.

An officer discovered the golf-ball sized shell jammed into the tube of the gas tank Tuesday. Capt. Terry Nelson said a footlong fuse was dangling along the side of the car.

The bomb squad extracted the shell, took it to the explosive ordnance range and determined it was not a dud. The mortar shell “would have completely destroyed the car” if it had detonated because the gas tank was full, Nelson said.

He said attempted murder was among the potential charges the district attorney’s office might consider if someone is arrested in the case.

“It’s very concerning to us,” he said.

Patrol South Capt. John Speer concurred, calling the incident “ominous.”

Police have checked other patrol cars, but so far have not found any similar shells. The investigation continues, Nelson said.