Putting an anti-theft club on a steering wheel caused havoc for one Winnipeg family, when someone mistook the device for a shotgun and called police.

Andrew Lyons was in the city from Calgary, visiting his parents for the holidays, when he pulled up to the house on Harrow Street in the city's Fort Rouge neighbourhood on Dec. 17.

Andrew Lyons was putting a Club anti-theft device on his steering wheel when a passerby mistook it for a gun. (CBC)

Not long after he went into the house, it was surrounded by flashing lights and members of the police tactical unit. Lyons and his parents were then ordered to exit the home.

"Being the eldest son to a father with terminal cancer, I was the first to exit and noted the numerous officers with weapons drawn as they instructed me to walk backwards towards them with my hands up," Lyons said.

"I was then handcuffed and detained in a cruiser while the rest of my family was called out."

'I've laid awake in bed … thinking about what could have been done differently.'—Andrew Lyons

The police told Lyons that a report had been filed stating he was seen waving a gun in his truck. His parents' house was then searched.

Only after the search and repeated explanation by Lyons, did police realize the mistake made by the 911 caller.

An upset Lyons said police were too heavy-handed.

"I find these actions to be in direct violation of our privacy rights and cannot believe that a single phone call from a passerby can inflict such damage on a respectable, law-abiding family," he said.

"It should be terrifying to all residents of this city to know that your home can be entered at any time by these 'law enforcement officers' and the psychological trauma which I have suffered may be inflicted upon any person in this city with no reasonable grounds."

A spokesperson for the police service said officers have to act seriously on information they get from the public.

"I'm traumatized right now, I really am," said Lyons.

“I do lose a lot of sleep at night. I've laid awake in bed … thinking about what could have been done differently.”