A man identifying himself as an American has been arrested after allegedly wielding a hatchet against police in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture. During the incident Sunday, an officer fired a warning shot.

The man, whose name has not been disclosed, had an Australian passport but denied it was his, the police said, who added they were still trying to identify him.

The incident took place on a road in Joetsu at around 1 p.m. when police officers spotted a truck, with the suspect behind the wheel, that had been reported stolen in Fukushima Prefecture.

A chase ensued and the truck eventually came to a stop after it was cornered by three police cars.

The man allegedly was swinging a hatchet as he exited the truck. He ran for about 100 meters before an officer fired a warning shot into the sky, the police said.

He ignored the warning and continued to flee but was subdued soon afterward, they said.