OPP investigate assault by clown

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Prince Edward County Detachment is investigating an assault by a person dressed in a clown costume.

On Saturday, Oct. 15, at 4:27 a.m. a male called police, indicating he had been punched in the face by an unknown person dressed in a clown costumein the Macaulay Village area. The victim was transported to hospital and treated for minor injuries.

The assailant was described as wearing clown mask with rainbow hair, a black shirt, black pants and red high top shoes.

Clown sightings and related crime reports appear to be part of a growing trend that has spread through the United States and this month, into Canada where people dressed as clowns are stalking or chasing pedestrians and in a few cases, blamed in assaults.

Social media users are using the hashtag #clownsightings but some postings appear to have been staged to participate in the viral trend.

OPP are continuing to investigate and seek the assistance of the public. Call the Prince Edward County OPP Detachment at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).