CHUCKY-MASKED SUSPECT ARRESTED IN LAS VEGAS AFTER PHILADELPHIA MANHUNT

PHILADELPHIA — A 22-year-old man accused of terrorizing pedestrians in Philadelphia while wearing a Chucky-style Halloween mask has been arrested in Las Vegas after a two-week manhunt, authorities said.

Zymire Hughes was taken into custody Tuesday night at an apartment complex in southeast Las Vegas by the U.S. Marshals Service. He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center while awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.

POLICE SAY HE TARGETED MULTIPLE PEDESTRIANS

The investigation began after a series of disturbing encounters near Philadelphia City Hall on Aug. 12.

According to police, Hughes allegedly approached and harassed multiple people over roughly 15 minutes while wearing a mask resembling the horror character Chucky.

One of the most serious encounters involved a 40-year-old woman who was jogging near 15th Street and JFK Boulevard. Police say Hughes approached her, chased her and asked whether she was “ready to die.”

The woman fled and suffered a serious leg injury.

Investigators later said Hughes may have approached or attempted to intimidate as many as 15 or 16 people that morning.

SURVEILLANCE VIDEO HELPED IDENTIFY HIM

Authorities reviewed surveillance footage from throughout Center City as they attempted to identify the masked man.

Investigators say Hughes was apparently carrying a cellphone and appeared to be filming some of the encounters.

After leaving the area, surveillance footage allegedly showed him traveling by SEPTA before eventually reaching an apartment complex. Investigators were able to identify him after obtaining additional video showing him without the mask.

Police also believe the encounters may have been intended to generate social-media content.

HE LEFT PHILADELPHIA

Authorities say Hughes left Pennsylvania on Aug. 19, traveling from New Jersey to Orlando, Florida, before continuing to Las Vegas.

U.S. Marshals tracked him to an apartment in southeast Las Vegas, where he was arrested Tuesday evening.

Officials said he is now awaiting extradition to Philadelphia, where he will face the charges filed against him.

A CASE THAT QUICKLY WENT VIRAL

The bizarre footage and images of the masked suspect spread rapidly online after Philadelphia police released information about the incidents.

Before Hughes was identified, authorities warned members of the public not to approach the suspect and instead to contact police.

The case drew even more attention after a woman named Jameka Wilson said she confronted the masked man during one encounter and kicked him in the chest after noticing him following another woman.

SERIOUS CHARGES AWAIT

Hughes is facing charges including aggravated assault, terroristic threats and related offenses, according to authorities.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and Hughes is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted.

For investigators, however, the arrest marks the end of a search that began with a series of unsettling encounters in the heart of Philadelphia.

FROM PHILADELPHIA TO LAS VEGAS

What began as a strange early-morning confrontation involving a horror-movie-style mask quickly became a multi-state manhunt.

Now, with Hughes in custody, prosecutors will have to present the evidence behind the allegations and determine exactly what happened during those chaotic minutes near City Hall.

The mask may have hidden his identity for a time — but investigators say surveillance footage ultimately helped uncover the man behind it.