U.S.

Mysterious clowns troubling a California city

/ CBS/AP

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - People dressed as clowns are causing a stir in California's San Joaquin Valley.

The latest after-dark sighting came Saturday, when police in Bakersfield responded around 8 p.m. to a report of a clown holding a firearm.

Officers searched but didn't find anyone.

The Bakersfield Californian reports that the latest sighting came after a week during which police received numerous calls about scary or mischievous clowns.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested Thursday for dressing as a clown and scaring younger children, police told CBS affiliate KBAK in Bakersfield.

Officers were dispatched in the afternoon to reports of a clown chasing children. Police said one child "was clearly scared as a result of being chased by the clown."

Police said the teen admitted to the acts and said he did it to perpetuate a sinister clown hoax he had seen online.

First published on October 12, 2014 / 4:01 PM EDT

© 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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