Police are searching for 22-year-old Zymire Hughes after authorities said he may have left Philadelphia following a series of disturbing encounters involving a man wearing a Chucky mask.
Hughes is wanted on allegations including terroristic threats, harassment, simple assault, reckless endangerment and witness intimidation.
Investigators now believe he could be somewhere on the US West Coast.
Philadelphia police said they have received information suggesting Hughes regularly travels between the West Coast, California and the Las Vegas area for employment.
Authorities Warn He Could Be in California or Nevada
Philadelphia Police Captain Jason Smith said investigators are working to establish exactly where Hughes may have gone and how he reached the region.
“We’ve received information he has a tendency to travel back and forth to the West Coast, California, the LA area and also Las Vegas for employment reasons,” Smith said.
Authorities in Southern California and Nevada are reportedly monitoring transportation hubs while investigators follow up on possible sightings.
Police have urged anyone who sees Hughes in the Los Angeles area to contact law enforcement rather than approaching him.
Jogger Allegedly Chased Near City Hall
The investigation intensified after surveillance footage captured an incident involving a 40-year-old woman who was jogging through Philadelphia at around 5.30am on August 12.
According to police, a man wearing the distinctive Chucky mask ran behind the woman before approaching her with a cellphone in his hand.
He allegedly asked her, “Are you ready to die?”
The woman was reportedly startled and attempted to escape after the question was repeated.
During her flight, she screamed for help and suffered an injury to her leg.
Security Cameras Captured the Pursuit
Video footage released by investigators appears to show the jogger turning around in an attempt to shake off the masked man.
Instead of stopping, the suspect allegedly changed direction and continued following her.
A second camera captured the woman running along a five-lane road while the suspect remained behind her.
He was unable to catch her and eventually diverted across several lanes before moving onto a sidewalk.
Investigators subsequently released images showing the suspect wearing the Chucky mask and carrying a blue plaid backpack.
Police Say Other People Were Targeted
Authorities believe the jogger may not have been the only person subjected to frightening encounters.
Police have alleged that Hughes terrorized multiple people in the community, sometimes laughing at those he encountered and asking whether they were “ready to die.”
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner delivered a pointed warning to the suspect as the search continued.
“You think it’s funny to scare people? Well, get ready to get scared by us because we got the handcuffs,” Krasner said, adding that Hughes could face jail and a Philadelphia jury.
Krasner also noted that Hughes is currently on probation for an unspecified offense in Montgomery County.
Another Woman Describes a Frightening Encounter
A second woman, identified as Jameka, told local television station WPVI that she encountered the suspect shortly after he allegedly chased another woman.
She said she noticed the masked man approaching with a cellphone and tried to warn the other woman by shouting that someone was behind her.
According to Jameka, the suspect subsequently attempted to enter a nearby coffee shop but was refused entry before turning his attention toward her.
She said she told him not to follow her and raised her hands defensively.
Jameka described the man as appearing disoriented and said she eventually kicked him, prompting him to run away.
She also claimed the suspect appeared to be recording some of the encounters on his phone.
DA Calls Suspect a “Punk”
Krasner strongly condemned the alleged behaviour and suggested the man who had frightened members of the public was now attempting to avoid authorities.
“There is nobody in the world who should be trying to imitate what this scared man who’s running is doing,” the district attorney said.
He later described Hughes as “a punk” and said authorities would not tolerate conduct that allegedly caused members of the public to flee in fear.
Police Urge Public to Help Locate Hughes
With investigators now considering the possibility that Hughes has travelled hundreds of miles from Philadelphia, authorities are asking the public to remain alert.
Anyone who spots him in the Los Angeles area is being urged to notify police immediately rather than attempting to confront him.
Meanwhile, people in Philadelphia who believe they may have been victims of similar incidents are encouraged to contact the Central Detective Division.
What Happens Next?
The investigation will now focus on determining Hughes’ whereabouts and establishing whether he has travelled to California, Nevada or another location.
Authorities are also expected to continue examining surveillance footage, witness accounts and possible sightings as they attempt to locate him and bring him back to Philadelphia to face the allegations.
Summary
Zymire Hughes is wanted in Philadelphia following allegations that he pursued and intimidated members of the public while wearing a Chucky mask.
The most serious reported incident involved a 40-year-old jogger who police say was chased near City Hall and repeatedly asked whether she was “ready to die.”
Investigators believe Hughes may have fled to the West Coast, with possible links to the Los Angeles and Las Vegas areas.
Police are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts or other possible encounters to come forward.
