A New Jersey teen was cited after being seen on a hearse in a clown costume and was followed by "clown hunters," dad says.
"I know I should have known better," Matt Fuller admitted. "But with our favorite holiday coming up -- Halloween -- we decided, hey, let's have some fun."
That was the start of a joke poking fun at the area's recent creepy clown sightings.
But the punchline was not funny for the Fullers.
Pohatcong Township police said a boy in a clown costume rode on the hood of a hearse Sept. 27, 2016, outside the Super Wal-Mart in Pohatcong Plaza II in the township. (Submitted photo) Matt and his 18-year-old son, Sean -- who dressed up as a clown and rode on the family's hearse around a Pohatcong Township parking lot -- were followed home and Sean is to be cited by police. Now, supposed "clown hunters" are telling the family to watch themselves, Matt Fuller said.
"It's a joke that has gone overboard," said the 42-year-old from Alpha. "Not by us but by people pushing it, these so-called clown hunters."
Police have cautioned against people pursuing anyone dressed as a clown after a series of reports in which creepy jesters supposedly chased children. There were two reports within 12 hours last week in Easton, four in two days this week in Phillipsburg and another in Wilson Borough.
What was thought to be the latest sighting happened about 9 p.m. Tuesday outside the Super Wal-Mart in Pohatcong Plaza II, along Route 22. It was Sean Fuller, his father said.
Sean Fuller, 18, and his father Matt, 42, with the family's hearse, named Lucie. (Courtesy photo) Sean had gone to Spirit Halloween off 22 in a clown costume, where there were laughs and pictures taken, Matt Fuller said. They drove around with the hearse -- a car named Lucie that Matt said is a good conversation piece -- outside Wal-Mart and Quaker Steak & Lube, he said.
Fuller said Sean waved at some people and some took pictures. Pohatcong police said no shoppers interacted with the clown and that there was no reason for concern.
"Next thing you know, police were called," Matt Fuller said. "One person decided they were going to follow us home."
Upon returning home, Matt Fuller said, an officer scolded them. Another car that had followed them started up the driveway but drove off when the officer turned on his emergency lights, Fuller said.
Police said a citation will be issued for riding on inappropriate parts of the car. Fuller said the family will accept it.
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He also said that while he was aware of clown sightings, he only learned that night that there were local reports of clowns chasing children. He said it wasn't them.
"I would never harm a child nor put anyone's child in danger," he said.
Pohatcong Mayor James Kern, in the police's announcement of the citation, praised the department for its work and said suspicious clowns will be not be tolerated.
"This odd phenomena is happening all over the country," he said. "Hopefully, those considering these type of actions will now think otherwise."
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.