Clown sightings creeping out Bakersfield residents

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KABC) -- People dressed as clowns are creeping out residents in Bakersfield.

Most of the sightings have occurred after dark. The latest happened Saturday, when police responded around 8 p.m. to a report of a clown holding a firearm. Officers searched but didn't find anyone.

The Bakersfield Californian reports that the latest sighting came after a week during which police received numerous calls about scary or mischievous clowns.

Bakersfield police said Friday that they had arrested a juvenile suspect. Police responded to the area of Monitor Street and Pacheco Road on Thursday after getting a report of someone dressed as a clown who was chasing kids.

Police eventually found the juvenile suspect at a residence in the 800 block of Pacheco Road. Police said the suspect admitted to chasing younger kids while dressed as a clown, and that he did it to perpetuate a hoax he saw on the Internet.

The young suspect was booked into Kern County Juvenile Hall for annoying a minor.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.