A man accused of threatening several people while wearing a Chucky-style mask in Philadelphia was arrested in Las Vegas. The U.S. Marshals Service announced the arrest of Zymire Hughes, 22, at an apartment in southeast Las Vegas. He awaits extradition back to Philadelphia and is currently held at the Clark County Detention Center.
Hughes, a resident of Las Vegas since February, has family ties in Philadelphia. Authorities believe Hughes spent several weeks in Philadelphia before leaving on August 19. He departed from Trenton-Mercer Airport in New Jersey to Orlando, Florida, before flying to Las Vegas.
“By hiding behind a Chucky-style Halloween mask, Hughes terrorized Philadelphia residents and believed he could evade law enforcement. He was wrong,” stated Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal. “His arrest should send a clear message: you can hide your face, but you can’t hide from the elite investigators of the U.S. Marshal Service.”
On August 12, Hughes allegedly threatened and chased at least six people near Philadelphia City Hall. The events occurred over a 15-minute span, with Hughes approaching a woman and reportedly asking if she was “ready to die.” The initial threats began around 5:18 a.m. at 15th and Chestnut streets, where Hughes allegedly ran toward multiple individuals.
At approximately 5:20 a.m., Hughes entered a Dunkin’ on Chestnut Street but was refused service due to wearing a mask. He was later seen on camera approaching people at Penn Square near City Hall by 5:25 a.m. He then pursued a man on 15th Street’s west side and confronted a woman jogging at 15th and Market streets. After stopping in front of her and making threatening remarks, the woman fled and injured her leg. Hughes reportedly escaped to Suburban Station following these incidents.
Hughes allegedly used a cellphone with the light on to film the events, as previously detailed by Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith. Hughes faces charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and related offenses.