Man in Chucky Mask Arrested for Pennsylvania Threats

A 22-year-old man, Zymire Hughes, is in custody after allegedly terrorizing several individuals near Philadelphia City Hall while wearing a Chucky-style mask. His arrest occurred in Las Vegas, according to authorities, and he is currently held at the Clark County Detention Center, awaiting extradition back to Philadelphia.

Hughes, a resident of Las Vegas since February, has connections in Philadelphia. Authorities tracked his travel from Philadelphia, where he reportedly left on August 19 from Trenton-Mercer Airport in New Jersey to Orlando, Florida, ultimately reaching Las Vegas. The U.S. Marshals Service has been handling the case, involving the cooperation of various agencies.

By hiding behind a Chucky-style Halloween mask, Hughes terrorized Philadelphia residents and believed he could evade law enforcement. He was wrong, said Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force. 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.

The incidents took place on August 12 over a 15-minute period around City Hall. Philadelphia police reported that Hughes chased and threatened at least six people, asking one woman if she was “ready to die.” The intimidating behavior began around 5:18 a.m. at the intersection of 15th and Chestnut streets, where he approached and scared multiple pedestrians.

Within minutes, Hughes entered a Dunkin’ location on Chestnut Street but was refused service due to his masked appearance. Video footage later showed him pursuing people near Penn Square at City Hall around 5:25 a.m. Subsequently, Hughes targeted a man on 15th Street and confronted a woman jogging at 15th and Market streets, leading to her leg injury. Police detailed that Hughes fled to Suburban Station following the threats.

Hughes reportedly filmed these incidents using a cellphone with the light on, as noted by Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith. Hughes is now facing charges including aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and associated offenses.