A man broke into DMK President M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi's home in Chennai on Monday and threatened the inmates for money. He has been arrested.

Speaking to reporters in the city, DMK spokesman TKS Elangovan said a man gained entry into the residence of Kanimozhi and threatened the people inside with a gun and knife for money.

He said the intruder who had threatened the inmates including Kanimozhi's mother on the first floor was tricked and brought down.

The security was alerted without the intruder's knowledge. Police then entered the scene and overpowered him, he added.

Following the incident, the police realised that the accused was using a toy gun.

Kanimozhi who was not at home when the incident took place, is reported to have rushed back.

PTI reported that he could have gained entry by scaling the wall from a side where there were no sentries and at a time when there was not much public movement. 

Other reports suggest that the accused had spent the night and most part of the day hiding at the library on the first floor, before he tried to commit the crime.

Security at the house has been stepped up.