The Armed Offenders Squad from Dunedin was called into action and a 42-year-old transient man was taken into custody, a police spokeswoman said last night. Police responded to reports of alleged activity by the person, who was driving through Central Otago. Firearms were believed to have been involved, the spokeswoman said.
State Highway 8 next to the Cromwell Lookout was narrowed to one lane using road cones and spikes were used across the lane to stop the vehicle about 5pm. About up to nine police vehicles and about 10 police officers had gathered at the site.
Inquiries were continuing and there was no further information available, the spokeswoman said in a statement.
Earlier, a spokeswoman said firearms were found by police following a search of the vehicle after the man was taken into custody.
"... police believe we have located the person of interest and there is no further risk to public safety at this time," she said.
