A 22-year-old man has been arrested in Mijas after allegedly pointing a loaded gun at a local police officer during a tense early-morning incident.

The events unfolded at around 4am on April 1 in the Las Cañadas area, when officers from the local police were carrying out routine patrols.

According to sources cited by Diario Sur, officers spotted a car travelling at high speed before it suddenly braked near them.

Moments later, the passenger got out and attempted to enter another vehicle parked nearby, in behaviour that immediately raised suspicion.

The young man, wearing a hood and gloves, was approached by an officer for identification.

As the officer moved in, the situation escalated dramatically when the suspect allegedly pulled out a firearm and pointed it directly at him.

Faced with an immediate threat, the officer drew his service weapon in response.

In that split-second standoff, the suspect threw the loaded weapon to the ground and fled on foot.

Police launched a pursuit, tracking him to a nearby open area where he attempted to hide in bushes.

When officers caught up with him, they found he was trying to destroy a mobile phone, allegedly to eliminate evidence.

He then resisted arrest, leading to a struggle in which he is said to have assaulted officers before being subdued and detained.

Officers from the Guardia Civil were called to the scene and have taken over the investigation.

The suspect, who reportedly has previous convictions linked to drug trafficking, is now facing charges of assaulting a police officer and illegal possession of weapons.

The firearm used in the incident has been seized as evidence.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.