Hamilton Police rolled out their military-esque tactical vehicle Tuesday, as the emergency response unit prepared to execute a search warrant after an alleged pistol whipping.

The armoured truck – with a fully-armoured officer poking out of its tank-like opening, gun pointed forward – rolled onto Cathcart Street North around noon.

Their target: a home, between Wilson and Cannon Streets, where a man was allegedly assaulted with a weapon Monday evening.

Just an hour earlier, police had allowed neighbours to move freely along the street—even though officers armed with long guns had been positioned there since Monday evening.

Emergency crews were called to the Big Bear variety store around the corner at Wellington and Wilson streets around 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Employee Ali Hussain said a man had walked in and asked to use the phone. He says the man called police, and Hussain noticed him holding a cloth to the back of his head where he was bleeding.

Crews arrived and the man left in an ambulance.

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Hamilton police Staff Sgt. Jack Langhorn confirmed they received reports that a gun was used in the assault, but said investigators were working to confirm what the weapon was before the search warrant was executed.

One woman from that home was arrested Monday night and charged with drug possession, Welton said, adding it is unclear at this time whether she is connected to the assault.

As of 12:30 p.m. the street had reopened.