Man flees police to sit on Sydney roof

A man who fled police then refused to budge from a rooftop in Sydney's east for more than six hours has been arrested after finally agreeing to come down.

Police say officers attempted to speak to the 22-year-old man in Matraville at around 3.15pm on Tuesday when he ran into nearby houses and was seen a short time later on a roof.

When he refused to come down, police negotiators were called to the scene but he stayed put for about six and a half hours.

Following discussions with the negotiators and an acquaintance, the man came down from the roof and surrendered himself to police at around 9.40pm.

Police say they expect to charge him with several offences including malicious damage, trespass, warrants and matters relating to a previous incident.

He is to appear before Waverley Local Court on Wednesday.