Man In Clown Mask Causes Panic At Gas Station, McDonald's In Hazel Park
HAZEL PARK (WWJ) - Two people have been arrested after a man in a clown mask terrified people in Hazel Park.
Hazel Park police received multiple 911 calls, early Tuesday morning, about a creepy clown scaring customers away from the Mobil gas station on 9 Mile Road.
Police Chief Martin Barner says that man — later identified as 22-year-old Deonte Wiley of Clinton Township — then drove over to McDonald's, also on 9 Mile, where he knocked on people's car windows as they waited at the drive-thru.
Barner says this nationwide clown crazy has to stop.
"This panic and alarm that's created by these individuals, you know, it's unacceptable," he told WWJ's Zahra Huber. "And I'm afraid that it's only a matter of time, you know, before one of these incidents is going to result in serious injury or death."
Barner said this clown craziness has to stop.
"What's most concerning to me that, anybody that has children right now...they've been taking steps to try to calm their children, because the children are scared to death of these clowns," Barner said. "They're having to lock their doors, lock their windows, leave lights on, you know, try to explain to the children what's going on, and it's hard from them to understand."
Wiley and the driver of the car, 21-year-old Aaron Williams of Detroit, were arrested and arraigned on charges of disorderly conduct and having an open alcohol bottle in their car.
Barned said both had outstanding traffic warrants. Each is being held on a $25,000 bond.
Meantime, while scary clown sightings and related crimes continue to be reported across the country, Barner says if you're considering dressing as a clown as a prank, just don't do it.
"I guess a good word for it is lunacy," he said. "I mean, why someone would do this and think it's funny, knowing what's going on across the country involving these type of incidents, is beyond me...For this to have ballooned into what it's become nationally is shocking to me."
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