Clown, accomplices arrested in Bentonville

A Bella Vista man in a clown costume was arrested Oct. 5 on charges of disorderly conduct after incidents on the Bentonville square and in a park north of downtown, according to Bentonville police.

The clown was identified as Aaron Lee Scott, 18, of Bella Vista, according to information from Bentonville police. The people who were reported driving the clown around were identified as Tyler Austin Pike, 18, and Jerry Silva, age 18, both of Bentonville. They, too, were charged with disorderly conduct.

Multiple reports of a clown terrorizing people with a horn near the Bentonville Square began coming in to police shortly after 11:30 a.m.

The clown was last seen traveling north on Northwest A Street on foot. Additional calls were reporting the sighting of a clown in Park Springs Park. A witness stated she was at the park with her small children when the clown charged toward her causing her great distress. Officers located the clown and two other men and their vehicle north of the square in Park Springs Park on Northwest 10th Street.

The two accomplices were driving the clown around town while he caused public alarm.

This incident mirrors other nationally reported incidents and sightings of clowns in causing fear and public alarm. Some national incidents have been related to schools and children. Prior to this incident and arrest, approximately at 9:44 a.m., Bentonville Police School Resource officers were receiving questions from staff, students and parents regarding safety concerns related to people dressed as clowns. Initial investigation revealed that the suspects did not intend harm but were playing off of media attention related to clown sightings and safety concerns. All three suspects were cited and released.

The Bentonville Police Department will continue to work closely with the Bentonville School District to ensure good communication and student safety. This incident did not indicate or confirm actual safety threats to any person or school facility.

Disorderly Conduct is defined by Arkansas law as: A person commits the offense of disorderly conduct if, with the purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm or recklessly creating a risk of public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, he or she engages in tumultuous behavior.