The 35-year-old was seen trying the door handle at a house and pushing and pulling the door in Rodney Way, Cotmanhay, at around 11.20pm on Monday 7 March.
He ran away but was confronted by the owner, who noticed that he was carrying a knife. The man is then said to have thrown the knife on the ground.
Officers arrived a short time later and he was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
He was also further arrested for possession of a controlled substance, assault, and importing a prohibited weapon.
He remains in police custody.
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