A man is accused of drunkenly strolling down a Maine road wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt and a clown mask and brandishing a machete taped to where his arm had been amputated.

Maine State Police say 31-year-old Corey Berry, of Hollis, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with criminal threatening. He was released after posting US$200 bail.

Police said Berry was first spotted in Hollis but then fled into the woods. He was taken into custody after re-emerging in Waterboro. Police said he was intoxicated but co-operative.

He told officers that he was copying previous clown sightings as a prank.