KEY POINTS:
An Ashburton teenager is in police custody after the armed offenders' squad (AOS) from Timaru was called to the Mid-Canterbury town this morning.
Senior Sergeant Arnold Kelly, of Ashburton police, said the 16-year-old allegedly threatened a co-worker on a building site saying he was going home to get a gun.
Police were alerted about 10.15am and called in the Timaru AOS.
Police cleared the building site and cordoned the youth's house, negotiating with him by telephone before he was taken into custody without further incident, Mr Kelly told NZPA.
He understood police had recovered a gun.
Mr Kelly said the youth was being interviewed and police were talking to witnesses.
- NZPA
