It all started when the producers of the successful U.S. horror series “American Horror Story” decided to include creepy clowns in the new freak-show themed season, bringing again into the spotlight the dark side of clowns with smeared face paint and balloons!

Inspired by this creepy theme, a couple in the city of Wasco in California began an art photography project in which the husband was photographed, dressed in a clown suit, in front of shops, attractions and other landmarks of the city, mostly at night. These photos soon became viral, attracting thousands of fascinated followers.

However, the couple had no idea that their project would create serious problems due to the large number of copycats who have popped up in the neighboring town of Bakersfield, where more than 16 sightings of clowns have been reported since Friday!

And, although the Wasco photographs featured a creepy clown holding balloons and performing the popular “Singing in the rain” song, these new clowns are reportedly carrying guns or knives, in an attempt to be even more scary and successful in their pranks.

So far the police have arrested a teen who had dressed up as a clown and was chasing children on the west side of town. The juvenile said he was doing it to perpetrate a hoax he had seen online.