Armed police arrested a 27-year-old man after officers spotted him in St Kilda, in a vehicle that had been reported stolen from Gore.
Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin said officers boxed the man in before approaching the stolen car in Richardson St.
The man was drinking alcohol inside the vehicle which was a breach of his prison release conditions.
He was known to Gore police and officers were armed as a precaution, a police spokesman said.
During the arrest officers found and seized a wooden club — which was inside the vehicle, the spokesman said.
The man was taken into custody and was charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, possession of an offensive weapon and breach of bail release conditions.
He was due to appear in court this morning.
