Creepy clowns have been reportedly menacing residents in Germany with weapons that include chainsaws and a baseball bat, authorities said.
The mass hysteria surrounding frightening jesters has made its way to parts of northern and western Germany after consuming most of the U.S. and spreading to other parts of Europe.
Rostock police on Friday said they’ve taken down two reports of clowns attacking with baseball bats, though it’s unclear if the encounters are connected, according to the Associated Press. In one incident, a 19-year-old sustained bruises.
A woman said a clown with a chain saw accosted her, and a 15-year-old boy said he was approached on Thursday by a clown holding a knife. In Wesel, a woman reported that a man wearing a clown mask leaped out of a bush and attempted to rev up a chain saw, the AP reports.
[AP]
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Caitlin Clark Is TIME's 2024 Athlete of the Year
- Where Trump 2.0 Will Differ From 1.0
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com