The Armed Offenders Squad from Dunedin used road spikes to stop a vehicle travelling in the Cromwell Gorge this afternoon.
The AOS was called to the area by Central Otago police.
Firearms were believed to be involved in the incident.
A police spokeswoman said a 42-year-old man, who is transient, had been taken into custody and was assissting police with their inquiries.
.
