Man claiming to be threatening clown arrested in Coffee County

A man who called Coffee County Communications Center claiming to be the clown who had been threatening children has been arrested on a stalking charge, deputies say.

George Randy Hoppe, 64, of Manchester was arrested Friday, Coffee County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Lucky Knott said.

Hoppe allegedly told a dispatcher that he was the clown who had been threatening children. According to an arrest warrant, he became lewd with the dispatcher, talking sexually with her and stating that he was going to harm children, Knott said.

The caller also allegedly stated that he was going to kidnap children and the dispatcher, cut off their ears and other lewd acts.

Knott said the call came in through an non-emergency line and was not traceable. Hoppe allegedly called later and told another dispatcher that he was going to be waiting and would kidnap her;.

The dispatcher asked where he was and the caller said he was at an address on Commodore Drive, which deputies found to be an empty lot.

Knott said when deputies listened to the call recordings, one of them thought he recognized the man's voice. Officers went to Hoppe's home and obtained his cell phone number. They called communications from his phone and Hoppe spoke to dispatchers who said it was the same voice and laugh they had heard.

Hoppe's bond was set at $100,000. A court date has been scheduled for Oct. 24.