Cops reveal areas of interest amid nationwide hunt for Chucky mask maniac accused of terrorizing streets of Philadelphia and stalking female jogger before asking her ‘are you ready to die?’
Philadelphia police are searching for 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, who allegedly wore a Chucky doll mask while chasing and threatening a female jogger, asking her "Are you ready to die?" during an early morning attack on 12 August. Investigators believe Hughes has fled the city and may be hiding on the West Coast, prompting law enforcement in Southern California and Nevada to monitor transport hubs and follow up on possible sightings. The case has drawn attention for the calculated, taunting nature of the alleged attacks, with authorities describing a pattern of terrorising residents for apparent amusement.
Hughes faces an arrest warrant on charges including making terroristic threats, harassment, simple assault, reckless endangerment and witness intimidation, and is reportedly already on probation for a separate offence in Montgomery County. The 40-year-old jogger was chased near City Hall at around 5.30am and sustained a leg injury while fleeing; a second woman, identified only as Jameka, said she witnessed a similar encounter moments later. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner condemned the suspect's behaviour, vowing that a "Philly jury" would hold him accountable, while police released photographs showing Hughes in the mask and carrying a blue plaid backpack.
- Chucky-masked suspect allegedly stalked and threatened a Philadelphia jogger.
- Zymire Hughes, 22, may have fled to California or Nevada.
- He faces multiple charges and is already on probation elsewhere.
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Philadelphia police are hunting Zymire Hughes, a 22-year-old wanted after allegedly wearing a Chucky doll mask to chase and threaten a female jogger near City Hall in the early hours of 12 August. He is accused of confronting her with the words "Are you ready to die?", and a second woman reportedly described a similar encounter shortly afterwards.
Hughes has not been arrested and is believed to have left Philadelphia, with investigators now focusing on the West Coast and working with police in Southern California and Nevada. He is wanted on charges including making terroristic threats, harassment, assault, reckless endangerment and witness intimidation, and was reportedly already on probation for an unrelated case.
The case has drawn wider attention because of the frightening, deliberate nature of the alleged incidents, which authorities describe as part of a pattern of intimidating residents. Philadelphia's District Attorney has publicly condemned the alleged behaviour, and police have released images of the suspect to help track him down.