The pursuit began in Balclutha about 5.40pm and ended 50km away in Papatowai shortly after 6pm.
Clutha-Taieri area response manager Senior Sergeant Alastair Dickie said police observed a vehicle that appeared suspicious.
Attempts were made to stop the vehicle but the driver allegedly fled police and they were forced to pursue him through Owaka to Papatowai.
Three squad cars were involved in the chase, the police officer from Owaka joining in.
The man was identified to police as a ''weapons carrier'' and was also known to have been disqualified from driving.
Snr Sgt Dickie said the pursuit was believed to have reached speeds of up to 140kmh.
''Speeds were up there initially but it slowed down due to the state of the road.''
Police tried to use spikes to stop the vehicle, but the driver managed to evade them.
A dog handler and units were sent from Invercargill to try to intercept the vehicle.
The fleeing driver lost control of the vehicle in hills near Papatowai and crashed into bush. The 28-year-old fled on foot but was caught by police soon after.
Snr Sgt Dickie said the dog unit attended the scene after the crash because police believed the man might have stowed a firearm in the bush.
The man was arrested at the scene and taken to Balclutha police station for questioning. He was believed to have gang affiliations and was from the North Island.
A police spokeswoman said the man faced driving charges ''among others''.
The man was uninjured in the incident.
