Reports of creepy clowns in woods expand into second state

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- In an incident eerily similar to clown sightings in South Carolina, police received reports Sunday that a clown tried to lure children into the woods in a Winston-Salem neighborhood.

On Monday, Winston-Salem police were Monday going door-to-door and asking neighbors if they had seen anything. They've also increased patrols in the area.

Lakisha Smith said her grandchildren heard the man. She said a group of neighborhood kids were playing outside around 8:30 pm, when the man started calling to them.

"He offered them treats and candy to go into the woods," She explained. "It's just scary."

When her grandchildren told her what had happened, she says she immediately called the police.

"I've never seen the kids like that. They were so distraught," Smith said.

According to the two kids, the man had on white overalls, white gloves, red shoes with red bushy hair, a white face, and a red nose. They told police he offered them treats if they would come into the woods. Police said an adult heard the man, but did not see him.

Are clown sightings in S.C. real? Police investigating

Witnesses say the man ran away from the area when officers arrived.

Four hours after the first call, Winston-Salem Police received a second call about a man in a a clown costume around 12:30 a.m.

Police say they are aware of similar incidents in South Carolina and will increase patrols in the area.