Armed police and dog handlers closed a road after reports of a man with a gun in Swadlincote.
Officers received a call from a member of the public at 12.18pm today that a man had been seen in a car with what was thought to be a gun.
Armed officers, together with dog handlers and local officers, were called to the area and began a search for the suspect.
At 2.55pm officers stopped a Fiat Punto on Sir Herbert Wragg Way and arrested a 28-year-old local man.
A spokesman for Derbyshire police said: "The man is currently in custody and will be questioned this afternoon. No weapon was found.
"No shots were fired and no-one was injured during the incident."
The road was closed for a short time and police have apologised for any inconvenience caused.
