A 25-year-old Hastings man was arrested in Oamaru's main street this afternoon after leading police on a short chase on foot.
Five police officers and two off-duty officers chased the man "for about 30 seconds'' before he was tackled to the ground in Oamaru's central business district, Sergeant Tony Woodbridge, of Oamaru, said.
The man was well known to police, had "several warrants out for his arrest'' and had been spotted around town by members of the public.
"Police approached him and he ran from police,'' Sgt Woodbridge said.
The man ran through traffic in an attempt to avoid police.
He was not considered a danger to the public, but had a history of violent offending.
He would appear in Dunedin District Court tomorrow.
