A drunk man trying to steal vehicles in Greymouth on Monday night prompted "multiple calls" to police.
The 33-year-old was refused service at a pub and then left the premises and subsequently tried to steal cars at three houses, each time being confronted by occupants.
Senior Sergeant Mark Kirkwood said police arrived within minutes and the man became difficult, resisting arrest and threatening to kill officers.
Seven officers attended the arrest and the man was taken into custody, where he proceeded to damage two police cells.
He was due to appear in court yesterday charged with three counts of burglary, one of speaking threateningly, two of threatening to kill, resisting arrest, disorderly behaviour and wilful damage of a police cell.
Professional cleaners were called in to clean the cells.
