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Creepy clown sightings have spread across the United States.

The clowns, first sighted in August, appear to have extended their operational area from South to North Carolina with three new sightings reported to police.

The latest sighting occurred on Monday at 5846 Old Oak Ridge Road in The Park at Oak Ridge, Greensboro, according to police spokeswoman Susan Danielsen. A man chased the masked, red-haired person -- who was wearing yellow dotted shirt and blue pants -- into the woods with a machete.

Police could not find the clown.

SEE ALSO:Mysterious clown sightings have South Carolina town on edge

On Sunday, two children reported seeing a clown -- wearing white gloves, red shoes and with bushy-red hair, a white face and red nose -- in 1200 block of East 29th Street, Winston-Salem. It reportedly tried to lure them into the woods with the promise of candy. Another clown sighting took place on Hope Street, Winston-Salem.

This is a map of all the sightings across the United States and in the UK:

It all started in Greenville, South Carolina on Aug. 20. There were multiple reports of "a suspicious person dressed in circus clown clothing and white face paint" trying to lure kids into the woods close to Fleetwood Manor Apartments.

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Witnesses were initially uncooperative, but when an officer made a follow-up visit, additional witnesses came forward, according to WYFF. One woman said her son reported seeing clowns "whispering" and trying to lure him into the woods and, later, saw clowns in the same area flashing green lights. 

Other children reported seeing clowns in the woods attempting to lure them by showing them money. 

Despite little evidence the clowns exist, Greenville police have warned that anyone dressed up as a clown will be arrested and charged.

"It's illegal. It's dangerous. It's inappropriate, and it's creating community concern so it needs to stop," Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller said at a news conference on Sept. 1. "This is something that we're taking very seriously, especially because of the allegations of people dressed in clown outfits trying to lure children into the woods."

Here are the other sightings that reportedly took place in South Carolina:

- A family called from Emerald Commons apartments saying a child saw a man wearing a clown mask in woods near the complex.

- A 12-year-old told police that two clowns were in the backyard of Shemwood Apartments at around 10pm on Mon. 22 August.

- Another sighting was reported to police on Deoyley Avenue, in the Pleasant Valley community on Tues. 23 August.

- On Wed. 24 August, officers responded to park Haywood Apartments on Congaree Road after a woman reported seeing a middle-aged white man in clown makeup and red hair.

A clown is yet to be caught.

(责任编辑：熱點)