A man who armed himself with a gun and barricaded himself inside a house with a woman and five children has been arrested following a dramatic stand off with police.

The man, 26, was seen being led away from the house in Melbourne's north in handcuffs with police confirming the incident was over.

Victoria Police Inspector Peter Tatter-Rendelmann said the children and woman inside the house during a siege in Epping were not held against their will.



"Today's events have been the culmination of an investigation in relation to some thefts and fire arms offences conducted by Darebin Crime Investigation Unit," he said.

It is believed the man attempted to exit the house in Wedge Street at about 2pm on Friday but ran back inside because police officers had surrounded the property.