More Creepy Clown Sightings In NJ, And They're Getting Creepier

Police are dealing with more "creepy clown" sightings in at least 10 New Jersey towns as the nationwide "killer clown" threats continue to grow.

Social media posts and sightings had towns on alert as people took to social media to express their fears.

Those towns included Phillipsburg, Pohatcong, Deptford, East Hanover, Glassboro, Clearview, Kingsway, West Deptford, Vineland and Toms River.

In West Deptford, police said they were aware of the social media posts regarding "subjects dressing up as clowns and planning to be around our schools."

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

"We have been working closely with the West Deptford School Administration and we have determined that there have been no threats made toward any of our schools, students, or staff," the department said in a Facebook post.

Nevertheless, the department said it would expand its police presence at schools.

"We understand that rumors will spread, so we thought it was important to reinforce the messages the school administration have sent home to parents. We will have an added presence around our schools at dismissal, just to make our students feel at ease. Thank you for your time and concern."

Others said their schools were also taking preventive efforts.

Much of the threats have stemmed from a Facebook post circulating on social media that has since been taken down after causing nationwide panic on Friday.

One person, meanwhile, was cited by New Jersey police after video and still shots circulated on social media of a clown riding on the hood of a hearse, authorities said.

In the North Jersey community of Wayne on Wednesday, a woman reported seeing a creepy-looking clown in a wooded area near a school but police were unable to confirm the clown was actually there.

The reports have also stirred up anxiety in places like Toms River, and elsewhere, since reports of creepy clowns trying to entice children first began circulating in South Carolina in late August.

Read more: Creepy Clown Rumors Stir Caution At Toms River Schools

The hearse incident, meanwhile, took place in the parking lot at a Walmart in Pohatcong Township at approximately 9 p.m. on Tuesday, police said.

"There was no contact between the man and shoppers in the area," police said. "At this time, there is no reason for concern."

The Morning Call identified the clown as Sean Fuller, 18, of Alpha, who was the owner of the hearse. He was cited for riding on the hood of a vehicle. Driving the vehicle was his father, Matt Fuller, 42, also of Alpha.

Pohatcong Mayor James Kern thanked the police department for swiftly handling the matter.

"This odd phenomena is happening all over the country but it will not be tolerated in this township," he said. "Hopefully those considering these type of actions will now think otherwise."

Matt Fuller said the hearse ride was simply to spread some good cheer and to be "silly." He and his son rode in the open at the mall and did not intend to scare anyone, according to the Morning Call.

Read more: Suspicious Clown Sightings Under Investigation By N.J. Police

An outbreak of suspicious clown sightings reported across the country recently spread to New Jersey.

Authorities say there now have been at least five reports of clown sightings in New Jersey, just days after similar reports came out of Pennsylvania.

Some of those creepy clown reports have resulted in people being arrested and charged with making false police reports, according to a report in the New York Times.

Meanwhile, New Jersey State Police this week took a lighthearted approach to the reports, providing tips to children who could be frightened easily and saying: "We know that there are a lot of good, hard-working clowns right here in Jersey."

"Heck, you might even work with one or two [wink]," state police said on Facebook. "Of course, it’s probably their part-time job, unless you all work for a circus."

Patch file photo