GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. - Three more creepy clown sightings have been reported in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina.
The first occurred in Forsyth County around 11pm on Monday. A woman reported a clown wielding a machete tried to lure her into the woods near Phelps Drive and Morrell Road near Walkertown, according to Forsyth County Chief Deputy Brad Stanley.
The woman said the male clown had red bushy hair and a red nose, and was wearing black gloves, a black tie and white shoes, Stanley said.
The second sighting happened in High Point, where a student reported seeing a man dressed as a clown on the High Point Greenway near Andrews High School Tuesday morning, High Point police Capt. Mike Kirk confirmed to the High Point Enterprise.
The third incident was reported in Greensboro at The Park at Oakridge apartments off Old Oak Ridge Road not far from Interstate 73. A man said he saw a clown near the wooded area behind the complex at about 10 a.m.
Chris Bass told FOX8 he lives at the complex with his wife and two children. He was on his balcony when he spotted a man in a white mask, red curly hair, yellow dotted shirt, blue clown pants and clown shoes in the wooded area. Bass tried to chase the clown but could not catch him. He called his actions his "fatherly instinct."
In a news release from the Greensboro Police Department, officials said it is lawful to dress as a clown, but "given the heightened tensions about these entertainers," they are "discouraging copycat behavior by individuals who may find it humorous to mimic the suspicious behavior that has parents on edge." “Copycats” unnecessarily alarm the public, and place an unnecessary drain on police resources, officials said.
It is unclear if the three sightings are related to two other sightings in Forsyth County.
All if the reports come after multiple sightings in recent days in South Carolina.
Anyone who might have any leads on who the suspect might be can call CrimeStoppers at (336) 727-2800.
Greensboro police encourage parents to use the latest clown sighting as an opportunity to talk with their children about strangers and how to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Parents should tell children never go anywhere with a stranger, even if it sounds like fun. Instead, children should run away and scream if someone follows them or tries to entice them to go to another location.
