PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia police said they have identified the person who has been terrorizing people around City Hall while wearing a Chucky-style Halloween mask.
Police have issued an arrest warrant for 22-year-old Zymire Hughes in connection with the acts of harassment. Police said it’s possible that he may have fled Pennsylvania, and he has ties to California and Nevada.
Police said the masked individual harassed and threatened at least six people in Center City last week. Surveillance video shows the person running after a woman during her morning jog.
At one point, he asked her, “Are you ready to die?”
Philadelphia Police Department
Police don’t believe the suspect physically assaulted anyone. They also said he harassed people indiscriminately, rather than targeting particular individuals.
Police did not observe him with a weapon, but said he had his hand behind his back while threatening the jogger, who suffered a leg injury when trying to get away.
Investigators are looking into the possibility that Hughes went around scaring people for social media content.
"I think he filmed this for social media content, either for his own sick personal amusement or he had plans to post it online and possibly monetizing it,” said Capt. Jason Smith with Central Detectives. Officials said a few social media accounts have been identified as Hughes’.
Hughes would likely face charges of terroristic threats, harassment, simple assault, reckless endangerment and intimidation. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner wants to bring Hughes before a jury.
"He is going to face felony and misdemeanor charges in relation to the one complainant who has come forward fully,” Krasner said. “Those charges will include assault, felony and misdemeanor charges. We'll be happy to explain that to him when he stops running, and we catch him." He also faces reckless endangerment of another person and terroristic threats.
‘Pow!’ Woman recalls fending off man in creepy mask in Center City
While a man in a creepy mask terrorized people around City Hall, one woman decided to take him on.
Jameka Wilson said she kicked the masked man square in the chest after she saw him chase people around City Hall and head her way.
