FRANKLIN, Ohio (WDTN) – Police departments all over the Miami Valley, Ohio are tracking reports of bizarre and threatening clowns.

In the last few days they’ve been spotted in Brookville, Greenville and most recently, Franklin.

Authorities say the clowns that attacked a man in Greenville on Tuesday were only wearing clown makeup. On Wednesday, a Franklin woman called police after being chased by one dressed from head to toe.

“Dispatcher: “Franklin Police, Fire and EMS.”

Caller: “Hi, I just got home from work and got out of my car and I’ve heard so much about this I didn’t even know this was actually true. I just got chased by a clown up into my door of my apartment.”

Franklin police say it happened outside of an apartment building in the 100 block of Skokiaan Drive. A woman told police that once she saw the clown peek around the corner of the building, it ran towards her. That’s when she sprinted up the stairs to the safety of her home.

Franklin police Chief Russ Whitman says this is the first clown report taken in the city, so far.

His department is well aware of this creepy craze and is working to put a stop to it.

“The clown trend has been all across the East coast of the U.S. and now it’s happening locally. We definitely want to get the word out that this is dangerous. It’s childish and we want to discourage this type of behavior,” Chief Whitman said.

He says officers are on patrol, looking to punish the prankster because to many, it is not funny.

“I think it’s stupid just a bunch of people dressing up trying to scare people,” said Aaron Reece of Franklin, “I think it’s ridiculous.”

Practical joke, or not it’s an act that could land you in jail.

“If they start chasing someone and that person starts to run, falls and hits their head, they can be criminal charged there. Also, if they’re chasing people just to scare them. That would fall under a criminal mischief charge,” Chief Whitman said.

Law enforcement officers in Miami Valley are urging residents to hold off on wearing the costumes until Halloween. Specifically, clown costumes.

If you see any suspicious activity you’re asked to not hesitate calling police.