Vancouver police have arrested a man they initially stopped for a minor offence Tuesday night after discovering a nearly two-foot-long machete concealed in his pants.

Police said the man was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk of West Broadway near Oak Street. When two officers began a “casual chat” with him, he provided some responses that caused concern, police said.

After patting the man down, the officers discovered the machete.

In a release about the incident, Const. Brian Montague said it’s an example of the uncertainty police face when encountering someone new.

“If someone can conceal a machete, you can imagine just how easily someone can hide a variety of weapons,” Montague said.

Police said the 31-year-old man was on probation for assault, a condition of which was that he was prohibited from possessing weapons. Police have recommended charges of possession of a dangerous weapon and breach of his probation order.