What to Know A man in a clown mask menaced people on a subway train at a 6 line station on the Upper East Side

The clown, who police say had a kitchen knife, then chased a 16-year-old boy out of the station

A creepy clown craze has swept the nation in recent weeks and the White House said law enforcement takes the threat seriously

A creepy clown intimidated people on a subway in Manhattan on Wednesday before chasing a teenager out of a train station, police said.

The 16-year-old boy was getting off a subway train at the 96th Street station on Lexington Avenue around 4 p.m. when he encountered the man in a clown mask.

The clown was standing in the doorway of the train and preventing people from exiting, according to police.

Moments later, the clown started chasing the teen, who ran through a turnstile and up a flight of stairs. When he turned around, he saw the clown at the turnstile holding a kitchen knife, police said.

Police are searching for the clown. If caught, the person could face menacing charges.

The clown attack comes amid a frenzy of creepy clown sightings across the U.S.

On Tuesday, the White House said law enforcement takes creepy clowns seriously. And on Monday, a top NYPD official warned people not to freak out over creepy clown sightings.

[LA GALLERY] Creepy, Scary Clown Sightings Across the Country

A school district in Connecticut has banned clown costumes during the Halloween season and three people were arrested in New Jersey on Wednesday following a slew of clown hoaxes.

Anyone with information on the clown in Wednesday's encounter should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

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