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description: Forget criminals or murderers... something way creepier has been spotted on the streets of New York City recently. The eerie “It”-like clown was first seen earlier this month, but some media outlets report the people posting about it seem connected.
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# Creepy Staten Island Clown: Horrifying Or Publicity Stunt?

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/2qtHQnyZ.m3u8" -->
## Video: Creepy Staten Island Clown: Horrifying Or Publicity Stunt?

[Watch (HLS stream): Creepy Staten Island Clown: Horrifying Or Publicity Stunt?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/2qtHQnyZ.m3u8) (1:33)

![Creepy Staten Island Clown: Horrifying Or Publicity Stunt?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2qtHQnyZ/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2014-03-25. Forget criminals or murderers... something way creepier has been spotted on the streets of New York City recently. The eerie “It”-like clown was first seen earlier this month, but some media outlets report the people posting about it seem connected._


---

Jul 27, 2023 4:20 PM UTC

---

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[All Videos](https://time.com/video/)

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### Target Stops Selling Clown Masks As Creepy Clowns Sightings Increase

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### Creepy Clown Appears in Town

[WATCH: Obama Rodeo Clown Sparks Outrage](/video/0E8PDd9a/)

### WATCH: Obama Rodeo Clown Sparks Outrage

---


## Transcript

Forget criminals or murderers, something way creepier has been spotted on the streets of New York City recently. Boy, a creepy clown is spooking residents. It's happening on Staten Island this time. The clown has been spotted all over, usually holding a balloon or two and just looking creepy. The eerie " It- like" jester was reportedly first seen earlier this month and three Instagram users posted photos of their sightings online. I had to make a U- turn, you gotta see this. Even comedian Vic Dibitetto apparently saw it. He posted this video of himself driving past the clown in broad daylight.

And that's when some started to get suspicious that maybe the joke was on us. The New York Post was one of the first to point out that three of the four people who claimed to have spotted the clown are friends with each other on Facebook. And another strange coincidence, those three men are all tied to the same horror movie production company, Fuzz on the Lens Productions. Dibitetto is also connected to the company. New York Daily News reports the funny man has appeared in at least one of Fuzz on the Lens' movies. So could this be a mere stunt to advertise a new movie or project, like that terrifying coffee shop prank used to promote Carrie in 2013?

That's unclear, at least for now. Dibitetto told several media outlets he has no idea if the Staten Island Clown is a hoax. And the other three men have not responded to requests for comment. Thanks for watching. I'm Lauren Zima.

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