Man armed with knife sparks siege in Sunshine Coast apartment

A man allegedly armed with a knife and on the run from police sent an apartment block into lockdown on the Sunshine Coast last night.

The man, wanted on a return to prison warrant, was being pursued by police when he attempted to hide in a stranger’s unit in Maroochydore.

The 30-year-old allegedly barricaded himself in an apartment with a man and woman aged in their 70s.

Police were able to negotiate with the man and he was taken into custody.

Resident Anne Deans told 9News the man was "brandishing a big knife" and police had told residents to "lock yourselves in".

Jason Overland of Queensland Police told 9News the situation had the "potential to go bad".

"Fortunately this one was solved very quickly by some very skilled police officers at the scene," he said.

It’s understood the man was wanted in relation to stolen vehicles.

He was remanded in custody and is expected to face court tomorrow.