Prowler in Canada's Trudeau Break-In Had 'Wrong Home'

A prowler who left a disturbing note at the home of a Canadian opposition leader -- prompting a national scare -- was drunk when he entered the wrong house, police said Tuesday.

The August 15 break-in at the Ottawa home of Justin Trudeau had been reported as a possible threat against the eldest son of late prime minister Pierre Trudeau, to curb his political ambitions.

The Liberal leader is ahead in public opinion polls going into next year's elections and could become Canada's next prime minister.

But police Sergeant Kal Ghadban said a 19-year-old Ottawa man had come forward to say he "went into the wrong residence while intoxicated (and) while trying to make his way into a friend's residence."

"After realizing that he had entered the wrong home the subject felt remorse for his actions, (and) he decided to leave a note behind for the homeowners," he said.

The man will not be criminally charged, Ghadban added.

The hapless night prowler had entered through a side door, and left a note surrounded by several kitchen knives urging the homeowners to lock their doors in order to prevent burglaries.

Nothing was taken from the home.

Trudeau was travelling at the time, but the incident spooked his wife and three young children who were asleep upstairs.

As a result, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were asked to review security for political leaders.

The suspect turned himself into police after seeing his grainy image, captured by security cameras, in the media.

He is said to be devastated that he caused a national incident.