JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. (KMOV) —  New reports of scary clown sightings are popping up in the St. Louis area.

KMOV reports that days after a string of reports of scary clown sightings in the Metro East, similar reports have popped up in Jefferson County. The claims that have surfaced though have not been confirmed by police.

Pevely Police Chief Ron Weeks told KMOV an anonymous caller reported there was a clown with a knife at the Pevely Pointe Apartments. Chief Weeks said an officer was dispatched to check out the claim, but didn’t find anyone dressed as a clown.

Claims on social media say that a clown was seen on a road southwest of Hillsboro. KMOV tried contacting the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department which said they have no record of anyone notifying them of a clown sighting in that area.

In the Metro East, Granite City police confirm they’ve received up to 10 calls about people dressed as clowns and Wood River police have received two similar calls. However, officers have not been able to verify the claims according to KMOV. 

Since late August there have been reports of sinister looking clowns in five other states, which apparently began with reports of clowns trying to lure children into the woods in Greenville, South Carolina. Greenville officers searched the area but never found any clowns.

According to a report by NPR nine people in clown costumes were arrested in Alabama and one in Kentucky. 

There’s speculation the clown sightings are part of a viral campaign to promote an upcoming horror movie, but that’s unconfirmed.