A man who caused a suburban Darwin street to be put in lockdown has been charged with possessing a prohibited weapon after a crossbow was found in his unit.

Police arrested the man on Thursday afternoon after responding to reports from the man's relative he was armed and threatening residents in John Stokes Square housing complex in Progress Drive, Nightcliff.

The siege led to armed police officers cordoning off parts of the street and a nearby childcare centre.

They later confiscated a handheld crossbow inside a unit in the complex.

Police on Friday charged the man with possessing a prohibited weapon.

The man was not opposed bail and is expected to appear in court in the new year.