An man is accused of trying to set the Abington, Massachusetts police chief's cruiser on fire Friday morning.

Abington Police said surveillance video from their parking lot showed 39-year-old Franklin Cederholm walk up to the chief's car and pour gasoline over the front of the vehicle around 9 a.m.

The video was posted to the department's Facebook page. It showed an officer walk outside and interrupt Cederholm. He was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody.

Police said Cederholm had a lighter with the two-gallon jug of gasoline.

"If it weren't for the quick actions of the members of the Abington Police Department this event could have turned into something catastrophic," police said in a statement.

Cederholm is charged with attempted arson, malicious damage to a motor vehicle and trespassing. Police said more charges could come as their investigation continues.

Cederholm was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a mental health evaluation, police said. He will later be arraigned in Brockton District Court.

Abington, Massachusetts is 21 miles south of Boston.