Reports of Armed Creepy Clowns Roaming Carol Stream are False: Police

CAROL STREAM, IL - The Carol Police Department received reports Tuesday of persons dressed in clown costumes and armed with weapons being spotted in Carol Stream but would like to assure the public that these reports are in fact rumors, police said Tuesday.

“...we have not taken any verifiable reports of armed clowns roaming the streets,” according to a post on the Carol Stream Police Department Facebook page.

The rumors may have stemmed from a fake news story titled “Carol Stream Police Issue Alert After 7 Clown Sightings; 3 Armed!” that police learned of after conducting an Internet search, according to police. Clicking the link revealed a “You’ve been Clowned” webpage.

“The Carol Stream Police Department would like to emphasize that this is not a legitimate news story,” according to the Facebook post.

The Carol Stream Police Department issued the following statement in regards to “scary clown sightings” that have surfaced nationwide in the past day:

That said, we do recognize that news stories and police reports of scary clown sightings have surfaced nationwide. We encourage the public to report ANY suspicious or threatening behavior by calling 911 immediately. We also caution anyone looking to participate in this kind of behavior that committing any act which alarms or disturbs another person fits the criminal definition of Disorderly Conduct, and you may be subject to arrest and prosecution. What you see as a joke, others may not!

Creepy clown, by GlitterandFrills, via Flickr, under Creative Commons license