CAPE ELIZABETH – A Maine man caused a scare when he showed up at the local police department wanting to know how to safely dispose of a hand grenade.

Tuesday’s incident at the Cape Elizabeth Police Department prompted a call to the bomb squad from Portland. The grenade was removed from the man’s car and detonated in a gravel pit.

Police say the man found the grenade while cleaning his house. It’s believed to date back to World War II.

Chief Neil Williams said the man won’t be charged, but he said people shouldn’t be transporting grenades or other suspected explosives. Instead, he said to simply dial 911 and leave the device alone.