Dunedin man aims crossbow at cops

A Dunedin man is due to appear at court on Monday after aiming a loaded crossbow at a police officer, sparking an Armed Offenders Squad callout.

The 25-year-old, who has name suppression, was charged with assault using a weapon and possession of an offensive weapon after a two-hour stand-off at a Northeast Valley house last night.

Police were called to a "domestic-related incident'' at the house, on the corner of Cardigan and Arnold Sts, about 7.45pm, Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan said at the scene.

When police arrived, a woman ran from the house, there was a "small disturbance,'' and she was arrested. He did not say what the disturbance was.

The son of the occupant then "came out of the house with a loaded crossbow and confronted the female officer,'' said Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken.

The man then went back into the house and barricaded himself inside.

The AOS, a police negotiation team and the dog squad were called out.

Banging and crashing were heard inside the house and police saw the man leaning out the window, yelling and throwing items at them, Snr Sgt McLellan said.

About 8pm, an explosion was heard coming from the house and the fire service was called.

Police negotiated with the man who man surrendered himself to officers around 9pm, and was arrested outside the house.

Cordons were placed around the house and neighbours told to stay indoors. Guests at a birthday party being held a few houses away told the Otago Daily Times they had been on their way home when they saw armed police in the bushes and were told to return to the birthday party.

Another couple who had gone to the local takeaway shop for a meal were unable to return home until the cordon was lifted about 9.15pm.

The man appeared at Dunedin District Court and has been remanded in custody until his next appearance on Monday.