A Nova Scotia woman had a scare this weekend after discovering she was driving around suburban Halifax with a man concealed in the trunk of her car.

Halifax RCMP say they were tipped off on Sunday afternoon by someone who said they saw a suspicious man sneaking around a property in Cole Harbour and climbing in the back seat of a car parked in the driveway.

It's believed the doors were unlocked and the man got into the trunk through seats that fold down.

A woman and her female passenger then went for a ride and pulled into a driveway in West Lawrencetown.

That's where police gave her some shocking news.

"Officers then spoke with the driver and advised her of the suspicious persons complaint they were investigating. The driver indicated that only she and a female passenger were in her vehicle," said Cpl. Greg Church.

RCMP carried out a "high risk" takedown. With guns drawn, they popped the trunk and found a man hiding inside.

Police say he was in the car for 1.5 hours and that he and the victim know each other.

A 38-year-old man Lake Echo man is charged with criminal harassment. He's also charged with breaching an undertaking for allegedly contacting the woman that evening, about three hours after he was discovered in her vehicle.

He's in custody, and the Crown says a bail hearing will be held on Friday.

Police are reminding people to check their vehicles and keep their car doors locked.