Clown suspect arrested

By Harlan Kirgan
Editor
A 17-year-old Eunice man was arrested at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and accused of being a clown by police.
Eunice Police responded to a report of clown sighting around College Road and Juanita Street, Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot said.
When the officer, Patrolman Kevin McFarlain, arrived he spotted someone matching the description except for a wig and red nose, Fontenot.
The man still had makeup on his face, he said.
“The officer determined he was the clown, Fontenot said.
“The officer described him as laughing. He thought it was funny,” Fontenot said.
Arrested was Jon Luke Thibodeaux, 17, 3600 block of Eunice Iota Highway, Eunice. He is charged with wearing of masks or disguise in streets, obstruction of public passage and disturbing the peace.
If found guilty, the penalty for or illegal masking is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500, or both, the chief said.
The sighting came from two women in a vehicle traveling on College Road.
The person outfitted as clown was walking down the street wearing a mask, he said.
Thibodeaux was spotted in a yard in the 700 block of Juanita Street, Fontenot said.
From Sunday through Monday there had been four clown sightings in Eunice, according to the Eunice Police Department’s radio dispatch logs.
On Tuesday there were four more clown sightings.
Tuesday morning Fontenot characterized the sightings as hoaxes.
“Nothing confirmed. As a matter of fact, I don’t even have the names of the people who claim they’ve seen the clowns. When police officers responded, we never saw a clown. None of my policemen have seen a clown.”
Fontenot added, “The only legitimate clown I know of in Eunice is Lolo and we are not worried about her.”
Lolo is a professional clown in Eunice, he explained.
I really believe it is somebody who seen all this stuff on Facebook and said, ‘Boy, wouldn’t that be fun?’”
Fontenot said he instructed officers to arrest anyone wearing a clown mask or makeup other Lolo, the professional clown.
Referring to Tuesday’s arrest, Fontenot said, “Hopefully, that will end our clown business in Eunice unless somone wants to go to jail.”
Eunice Police radio dispatch logs included the following.
Sept. 30
17:46 Subject wearing a clown mask at 8th and Vine near St. Anthony.
Oct. 1
12:13 Caller advised she received a text about a clown at Circle Park at 9:30 p.m. last night. Also advised of sightings at Coburn’s and 8th Street.
Oct. 2
22:35 Clowns spotted by Zeus restaurant.
Oct. 3
22:46 Reference to clown being spotted in the 1100 block of West Vine.
Oct. 4
00:54 Clown sighting in the 200 block Boudreaux.
19:33 Clown spotted with red and white clown outfit with orange hair standing near bushes.
21:56 Subject dressed all in black with clown mask on North 8th near the tracks.
22:22 Clown seen in the area of College Road near Pearl Street.
22:27 Officer with suspected clown in the 700 block of Juanita.