An armed man sitting on top of a silver SUV just steps away from the 45th Precinct was arrested in Throgs Neck on Thursday. 

Police say the man was parked in the middle of an intersection. They say he discharged a gun, striking an unoccupied police van nearby. 

After being startled by the gunfire, he dropped the gun and was taken into custody, according to police. 

Police say the suspect was taken to Health + Hospitals/Jacobi for treatment. 

The deli manager at the corner store near East Tremont and Barkley Avenue says he saw the events unfold, prompting him to lock down his store for over an hour. 

"First of all, I have to make sure the customers go all the way in the back to be safe. Thank God the guy did not come in here first,” said Deli Manager Alberto Ramos. 

Ramos said he could see the man looking all over and inside the store and thought it could “be his last day.”

The suspect’s identity has not been released. Police say the man is facing pending criminal charges for firearm possession and discharging a weapon.