A threat against the Dunedin staff of an insurance company, prompted an armed offenders squad (AOS) callout yesterday afternoon.
Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken said police were contacted by TV3 staff, after they received a phone call from a Waikouaiti resident concerning a "long-standing insurance matter".
The man is alleged to have made threats towards the insurance company, and the AOS was activated shortly after 3pm, he said.
"We were not sure if he had firearms," he said.
Police from Waikouaiti, Palmerston and Hampden went to the address "for observations" but were able to speak to the man, and the AOS was stood down.
The 62-year-old beneficiary was charged with misuse of a telephone, and is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court on Friday.
