One clown may have taken his prank way too far.

A 19-year-old man who was dressed as a clown was arrested on Friday after waving a stick resembling a long knife while chasing a group of teenagers, according to Yahoo News.

These fake clowns have reportedly been seen terrorizing people in small towns in Pas-de-Calais in northern France. The latest "prank" for these clown imposers reportedly involves using fake weapons to threaten passers-by.

They have reportedly mostly been "spotted outside schools, but also on public roads, in bushes, in a square. Their targets are often young children or teenagers, but also adults," a police source told AFP.

As these fake clowns emerge, coulrophobia, the fear of clowns, has taken over as people have reportedly been complaining nonstop regarding the recent sequence of pranks. After receiving about 20 calls on Friday, police reportedly took to social networks to warn citizens to be aware of the prank.

"They have taken their inspiration from American horror movies," the insider stated, adding that the trend may have started from a Facebook challenge.

The consequences for the recent clown threats could include jail time and a fine of 45,000 euros ($57,000) if they are seen using weapons.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that children are held hostage by such acts," stated the region's local government representative Denis Robin.

The clown attacks have already ignited coulrophobia amongst students who have only heard of the incidents.

"We haven't seen any clowns, a lot of students were anxious, we had to reassure some of them. This phenomenon of rumors has more of an effect on young people. Two parents even called us to find out if school entrances were secured," a school principal told France TV, according to The Local.