Police were involved in a dramatic standoff with a Junortoun man after officers confronted him about a stolen newspaper.

It took more than 90 minutes for officers to calm the 47-year-old man, who was allegedly armed with a long-armed rifle.

Police said the standoff began when officers tried to arrest the man over accusations he stole a newspaper from the Junortoun General Store on Sunday morning.

Officers said the shop owner witnessed the theft and after an argument he followed the man in his car.

But in an act of rage the man allegedly rammed the shop owner's car.

It's alleged the man tried to ram a car driven by the shop owner's wife.

He's been charged with reckless conduct endangering persons, criminal damage, theft and firearms and drug offences.