Armed police have arrested a man in Queenstown after a dramatic pursuit ended with the man locking himself in a petrol station bathroom.
The 40-year-old man was wanted for burglary, including the theft of several cars. He was believed to have stolen a car with firearms in it in Gore this morning.
Police said in a statement the man was disturbed by another person breaking into a business in Invercargill about 7.45am today.
He then fled the scene, police said.
"Several hours later, police received information that the man was near Winton in a vehicle heading towards Queenstown along State Highway 6.
"Police were not in pursuit of the vehicle for the entire distance, but good communication between officers ensured the man's location was continually monitored," police said.
Road spikes were deployed near Kawarau Bridge before the man arrived at the Frankton BP service station.
Video footage shows the car speeding across the bridge and swerving across the road, while a police officer runs for cover to avoid being hit.
Police said the man tried to steal another vehicle, before locking himself in the service station bathroom.
Armed police and members of the Police Negotiation Team took the man into custody about 30 minutes later, at 4pm.
Petrol station attendant Harish Nair said police shouted "stop" at the man as he ran into the petrol station.
The man crashed into a few shelves and then locked himself in the bathroom.
Nair said he and other staff locked themselves in the petrol station office while the standoff took place.
A local photographer said the man was inside the bathroom for about half-an-hour before police hauled him out and arrested him.
A police spokeswoman said the man was wanted in relation to a burglary in Southland this morning, and several car thefts.
No one was hurt in the incident.
The man has been charged with driving in a dangerous manner and failing to stop for police.
He is due to appear in Invercargill District Court on Monday and is expected to face further charges.