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Creepy clowns in Colorado: Student arrested over threats to schools

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Just when you thought there were still several months until creepy clown news became the norm again, police in Fort Collins announced another creepy clown is off the streets. 

Police announced Friday they have taken into custody a youth who directed threats online towards Poudre High School last September. 

Just days before the calendar ticked to October, Poudre School District officials announced a threat received that prompted increased police presence. 

"Our schools remain on heightened alert," Poudre School District officials wrote on Facebook at the time. 

Fort Collins police examined a threat posted to a popular Facebook page that prompted concerned calls from parents and students. Concern prompted 530 students to skip the day at Poudre High School. 

Eventually, police gave the all clear, saying the threat wasn't credible. Soon after Halloween passed, headlines about creepy clowns slowed to a halt, but a police investigation into the threats did not.

Police said they have been working to trace the threat back to a specific person, arresting that juvenile this week.

Although the juvenile won't be named, police say he or she will be charged with misdemeanor interference with staff, faculty or students of an educational institution.

The student has also been expelled from Poudre School District.

"School violence is not a joking matter," Sergeant Laura Lunsford, a school resource officer program supervisor, said. "This wasn't a harmless prank. It caused a lot of disruption and fear, and we will not tolerate that in our community.

Read more coverage on the threat, and the creepy clown epidemic across the U.S. below. 

MORE | Clown threat prompts hundreds to miss school in Fort Collins.

MORE | Where in Colorado have clown threats been recorded?

MORE | Read other creepy clown news.