Police had already been called to an address in Hall Street, Mansfield, after reports of a disturbance at around 7.40pm on Tuesday evening.
As they were inside the address officers became aware of a suspect with a saw and detained him.
A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary, possession with intent to supply of a class B drug, and drink driving.
He was later released on conditional police bail.
Detective Sergeant Georgina Gallagher, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Officers were already on the scene when this incident happened and acted with considerable bravery and professionalism to bring this incident to a peaceful conclusion.
“A subsequent search of a local address also uncovered a number of illegal drugs and our investigations are continuing.”
