Center Line Halloween store won't sell clown costumes

CENTER LINE, Mich. (WJBK) - Amid the clown hysteria and even the clown crimes, a Michigan Halloween store is choosing to pull the costumes off their shelves.

Crypt Keepers Halloween Emporium in Center Line won't be selling any clown-related costumes this season.

The store's owner, Dave Douglas, tells us in light of recent stories, selling the material just isn't worth it.

"We wouldn't feel comfortable selling these to some kid in the neighborhood and them getting hurt by a vigilante or someone who [thinks], 'Oh, it's a clown; they must be up to no good," Douglas says. "I mean, I think that's honestly what's going to end up happening. An innocent kid's going to be harmed."

In recent weeks, multiple clown sightings and crimes have been reported across the metro area.

Last week, a 7-year-old boy in Sterling Heights reported to police that he saw a clown while he was out playing, and that the clown approached him and dragged a sharp object along his arm, leaving a mark.

Also last week, a man in clown and other Halloween masks went on a robbery spree across several hotels and banks in the metro area before eventually being captured by police in Ohio.

A clown-related prank was also reported in Roseville on Friday. Two teens dressed in clown costumes jumped out of a car and ran after two younger girls, screaming at them and scaring them. Police caught up with the teens and took the females into custody. They've been charged with a misdemeanor and a judge set their bond at $10,000.

Multiple creepy clown sightings and crimes have been reported in numerous cities across the United States as well.

Douglas says he's had a few customers ask for clown costumes since they've made the decision. He says some didn't agree with or understand his decision.

"You know, I have five kids and I wouldn't let any of them wear any of these costumes this year, so why would I see them to someone else's kids?" he says.

Crypt Keepers Halloween Emporium says they are keeping a handful of high-end clown costumes for sale, such as the Killer Clowns from Outer Space brand. These costumes are more for collecters, though, Douglas says.

Those high-end costumes retail for about $150 each.