'Creepy Clown' Sightings Reported Around Arlington Heights

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — In four instances this week, residents have reported sightings of suspicious-looking or "creepy" clowns in the village this week, according to Arlington Heights police. But so far, authorities have yet to encounter any individuals dressed up in garish makeup and outfits.

The "creepy clown" phenomenon hit the Chicago suburbs this week after reports of menancing or threatening clowns began cropping up recently. Over the past few days, clowns have been sighted in Worth, Evergreen Park and Waukegan. Threatening social media posts involving clowns had a Chicago Heights school district take extra security precautions.

Police even took into custody a clown who was walking around the University of Illinois-Chicago campus. He was released, and no charges were filed when it was discovered that he was a student participating in a performance art project.

RELATED: Clown on UIC Campus Turns Out to Be Performance Art

The following list tracks the reports of Arlington Heights clown sightings. In each case, police searched the areas, and no clown suspects were found:

• A man was seen riding a bicycle wearing a clown mask in the area of Northwest Highway and Dunton Avenue.
• A caller reported seeing a suspicious person and vehicle in the area of Carefree Park, 1231 S. Belmont Ave., and thought it might be related to the clown sightings. The caller saw a male in a white jumpsuit — not an actual clown — go into the woods near the park.
• A person wearing a clown mask was seen exiting Westgate Park, 211 N. Reuter Dr.
• A person wearing a clown mask was seen in the 1500 block of West Vine Street.

Police will continue to investigate reports of clown activity in the village.

photo via Pixabay

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