Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    Creepy ‘Pennywise’ clown swipes saw from store before owner scares him off: ‘Nope’

    By Steve Janoski,

    10 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0kf78p_0vpI3LvO00

    What a clown.

    A creepy intruder in a “Pennywise’’ mask busted into a Tennessee garden center and swiped a saw blade — before being spooked by a sound over the store’s intercom and fleeing.

    The unidentified, flashlight-wielding burglar — who wore a blue jacket and white mask wreathed with wild orange hair a la Stephen King’s killer-clown “It” character — kicked in a back fence on a rainy day last week to break into JVI Secret Gardens in Donelson, according to News Channel 5 Nashville.

    The store’s owner, Derek Johnson, told the network that a business partner watched on the shop’s security cameras as the “Pennywise” lookalike shuffled around.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1KLH5W_0vpI3LvO00
    A burglar dressed as a creepy clown was caught on security cameras at a Tennessee garden center last week. JVI Secret Gardens

    Would-be Florida Corvette car thief begs owner to free him after getting trapped inside: ‘Can I get out?’

    The partner told Johnson to get over there as soon as he could.

    “Hey, there’s someone at the garden center wearing a white mask, you need to get up there right now,’ ” Johnson recalled his colleague telling him.

    But one look at the footage convinced Johnson otherwise.

    New threat facing homeowners whose properties are featured online — and it’s not just squatters

    “I said, ‘Nope, I’m not going up there,’ ” he said with a laugh.

    Instead, Johnson tried to talk to the burglar through the camera speaker — and that did the trick.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1CRkUw_0vpI3LvO00
    The clown broke in through a back fence. JVI Secret Gardens

    “When I clicked the speaker, I think it made a noise, and he acknowledged it and said, ‘I’m leaving’ and jetted,” Johnson said.

    When Johnson arrived afterward, he noticed that the intruder had tried to jack a propane tank and made off with a circular saw blade, he said.

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER

    “Here’s a creepy clown,” the owner said. “He stole a saw blade.”

    Cops are still investigating the incident — but it’s not the first time the store’s been hit by thieves.

    Johnson said the string of break-ins will likely lead to the installation of a few more cameras.

    “I feel like it may be the same individual because we had another tank like that stolen six months ago,” he said. “They stole a tool bag and came in the same spot.”

    Johnson told the network that he’s happy no one got hurt — but the crime still gave him a shiver.

    “I’m processing,” he said. “This is a sweet little garden center. It’s Donelson. I really don’t know why people would break into a garden center of all places.”

    For top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com.

    Expand All
    Comments /
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News

    Comments / 0