A man has been charged after allegedly smashing the windscreen of a ute with an edged weapon at traffic lights in Alice Springs before chasing the driver with the weapon, NT Police said.

Police director of communications Mark Wilton said police received reports about 11:50am Wednesday of a man armed with an edged weapon near Whittaker Street in the centre of the town.

“It is alleged the offender exited his vehicle while it was stationary at a set of lights at the corner of the Stuart Highway and Whittaker Street and used the weapon to damage the windscreen of a nearby white utility vehicle on the road,” Mr Wilton said.

“The utility’s adult male driver exited the vehicle, and the offender allegedly chased him before a brief altercation occurred between the two.”

Mr Wilton said the ute driver was not injured and the alleged 41-year-old offender fled along Colson Street before being arrested soon after on Elliot Street in Bratling.

He has been charged with going armed in public, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, driving unlicensed, and damage to property, and was remanded to appear in court today.

Police are asking anyone with information, including dashcam or CCTV footage, to call 131 444 (quote reference P26186319) or report anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through the website.