Pennsylvania police discover 'It'-inspired balloons tied to sewer grates

Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Police in a small town in southeastern Pennsylvania said a prankster has taken their love for Stephen King's horror novel It a little too far.

The Lititz Borough Police Department posted photos on its Facebook account Tuesday showing helium-filled red balloons tied to sewer grates throughout town.

The force believes the prank is tied to the release of a new film adaptation of It, in which a shape-shifting monster -- usually seen in the form of a terrifying clown holding balloons -- lives in the sewers and terrorizes children in Maine. The new film is set to hit theaters Thursday.

"A certain movie is coming to theaters in two days, and a local prankster took it upon themselves to promote the movie," the Facebook post read. "We give points for creativity, however we want the local prankster to know that we were completely terrified as we removed these balloons from the grates and we respectfully request they do not do that again."

The department's post ends with the phrase "you'll float too," a tag line from the movie's trailers.